The best cooling comforters we’ve tested so far – ryan

The best cooling comforters feel like a breath of fresh air during warm months — and for hot sleepers, they can be crucial for keeping sweat in check and *finally* achieving a good night’s rest. As a senior home writer (and finicky sleeper), I tested more than a dozen duvets over the past four months, so you can trust me when I say these cooling layers are legit. I spilled water on them to gauge their moisture-wicking capabilities. I put them through several laundry cycles to see how they could withstand washing. I slept under them for several nights during my early assessments — then continued to do so for many, much hotter nights since. Behold, three breathable, moisture-wicking comforters, from a cushy duvet to an icy shell of a blanket, that are getting me through New York City’s heat waves (and with limited air conditioning).

Table of contents

Best cooling comforters we’ve tested so far

Factors to consider when choosing a cooling comforter

Here are some things to think about when deciding which comforter (or duvet) is right for you:

• Size/weight: The size of the comforter should typically match that of the bed, though you may want to size up in the case of particularly high mattresses or bed frames (or in the pursuit of extra billowiness). The weight of a comforter typically comes down to the material it’s filled with, and to what density. Those we tested fell in the 5- to 10-pound range (more on this below in the FAQ section).

• Construction:

  • Fill: Down comforters typically contain feathers from geese or ducks. They combine warmth and loft, but tend to shed and cost more. Down alternatives contain a fill that mimics that of feather down, often using recycled polyester blends. These tend to be more dense and therefore less lofty, but they’re usually the most cost-efficient and typical of cooling comforters. They can also be better for people with allergies.

  • Cover: Cotton covers are typically soft and breathable, with percale variations slightly cooler-feeling (and more durable). Just note that cotton can hang onto moisture, so it may not feel the best if you’re a sweaty sleeper. Lyocell and other semi-synthetic fabrics derived from cellulose (aka wood pulp) are breathable and feel slightly silkier/smoother. Synthetic materials like nylon and spandex also have moisture-wicking properties — just think of your favorite exercise clothing.

  • Stitch: Through-stitching locks filling into place and keeps it contained so the comforter remains even. The box stitch is among the most common stitching styles, known for creating big, pillowy square pockets.

• Certifications: Oeko-Tex-certified textiles have been tested and cleared for the presence of more than 100 harmful substances. (Just note that this is for the final product and doesn’t indicate what happened during its production.) Global Recycled Standard (GRS)-certified products contain a minimum of 20% recycled content.

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How we tested these cooling comforters

I evaluated each comforter upon arrival to account for any design snags (such as loose threads or shedding) and overall feel, including how soft they were and whether they felt cool to the touch. After weighing and measuring them, I put them through a round of tests to evaluate design integrity and durability:

• Shake test: I shook each comforter aggressively to gauge how well the fill stayed in place.

• Spill test: I took a dropper of water to each comforter and looked for how quickly it spread, an indication of the comforter’s sweat-wicking abilities. I also looked for water resistance in case of spills.

• Laundry test: I put each comforter in the washing machine and dryer (on tumble dry low), then reassessed to see how well it retained its size and shape (and make sure the filling was still in place).

• Sleep test: I’ve spent the past few months taking each comforter for proper slumbers to assess how cozy and cooling it was throughout the night. As a sleeper that runs hot at night, you can trust that these truly are the best comforters for hot sleepers.

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Other cooling comforters we tested

As mentioned in the intro, I’ve tested more than a dozen duvets for our guide to the best comforters over the past few months. Five of them so far have been cooling comforters, which are included in this story. But with the weather heating up, I plan to test several more cooling options, and I’ll update this roundup with the results.

Buffy Breeze Comforter, Queen ($250): This comforter boasts a similar look and cool-to-the-touch feel as the Rest EverCool Comforter. I went with the Buffy Cloud Comforter for my top cooling pick because it felt more like a comforter to me — the Breeze is less lofty and more like a blanket. Another of my top picks, the Rest EverCool Comforter, performed similarly to the Buffy Breeze, but for less money.

Cozy Earth Bamboo Viscose Comforter, Queen ($425): While not technically labeled a cooling comforter, this comforter is made of breathable viscose, another cellulose-based fabric. I found Cozy Earth’s comforter to feel similar to the Buffy Cloud, but with slightly more silkiness. I like how it includes interior snap closures to reduce shifting, but I wish it came in more colors than just white, as I can’t imagine concealing this material with a duvet cover. At over $400, this is also going to set you back a pretty penny.

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Cooling comforter FAQs

What is the best material for a comforter to keep you cool?

Most of the cooling comforters I’ve come across are made with cotton, semi-synthetic (Tencel, Sorona) and/or synthetic materials that are known for their breathability and temperature-regulating properties.

Silkier, cool-to-the-touch blankets are often a blend of materials like nylon, polyester and spandex, that may feature proprietary coatings or weaves.

What are comforters made of?

A comforter’s construction is usually made up of an inner fill that dictates most of its warmth and loftiness and an outer shell (the softness, silkiness or coolness you feel when you touch it).

Down comforters contain feathers, typically from geese or ducks, while down alternative fills typically consist of cotton, polyester and/or recycled materials.

Cotton covers are typically soft and breathable, with percale variations slightly crisper (and often stronger). Tencel, which is a type of lyocell, and other semi-synthetic materials derived from cellulose tend to be more eco-friendly and slightly silkier/smoother.

What is the best comforter fill?

Down comforters are revered for their loftiness and warmth, which is determined by the quality and amount of feathers used (also referred to as its “fill power”). Generally, for cooling comforters, a lower fill power is best. For example, the bedding brand Brooklinen refers to its 650-fill-power comforter as “lightweight” and its 750-fill-power comforter as “ultra-warm.” If buying down, look for certifications, such as those by Responsible Down Standard (RDS) or another reputable organization, to ensure animal practices are regulated and feathers are traceable.

Down alternatives are another good fill option, especially for cooling comforters, because they don’t trap as much heat. Look for thin comforters made with sustainable materials and products marked as Oeko-Tex certified, which means the final product has been vetted against more than 100 harmful chemicals.

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We received complimentary samples of some products and purchased others ourselves, but we reviewed all products using the same objective criteria.