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For many, sleep can be elusive, and finding the right bedding options—including tracking down both the best down pillows and the best down comforters—often proves to be a lengthy process. For those who suffer from allergies, or simply don’t like the idea of using animal-based products, it’s even harder. The good news is that there are a plethora of quality comforters made with down alternative fills that can be both more sustainable and, often, more affordable than down. Available in most of your preferred places to buy bedding, the following list compiles our picks for the best down alternative comforters out there.
What to look for when shopping for the best down alternative comforters
As a journalist, in addition to being a professional tailor, pattern maker, and designer, I pay attention to how fabric is manufactured, as well as construction techniques in all kinds of soft goods, including bedding. There are reasons certain techniques are used for specific situations—some are good and some are less good, but I always like to know as much as possible about where and how a particular product came into being. To start your selection process, consider the following.
Construction
Most comforters are constructed either using a sewn-through or baffle box method, both of which create squares that help ensure the fill remains evenly distributed within. Sewn through means each box is formed by stitching through all layers of the comforter at once, while the baffle box method entails adding inner fabric barriers that form the containment squares.
Sewn-through comforters are usually less expensive than those made with the baffle-box technique, as they require less material overall. Baffle box comforters tend to be heavier and fluffier, as the fill has more room to move around. Which you choose is a personal choice that depends partially on your climate and how warm you yourself run.
Comforters made with sewn-through construction tend to be lighter in weight, so they may offer the best solution to people who live in warmer climates or find themselves too hot at night. That said, if you like the feel of a heavier, cozier cover, a baffle box construction may be the way to go.
Shell material
A shell made from a breathable material such as cotton, bamboo, or viscose offers more temperature regulation and versatility than one made from polyester. While traditionally, the textile manufacturing of cotton and other natural fabrics has been far from sustainable, most companies today source their materials from eco-conscious factories with sustainable processes.
Fill material
Most down alternative comforters are made with a synthetic fill, such as polyester or microfiber. Many of those included in this guide use fills created from plastic water bottles. The process to create these kinds of fill includes shredding the plastic into flakes, melting those flakes into pellets, which are then spun and pulled into yarn—quite ingenious, if you think about it.
A couple of the alternative down comforters included here are made with a Tencel bamboo or eucalyptus fill, created by fashioning wood pulp into fabric strands or sheets. These have more breathable properties than their microfiber, polyester-filled counterparts.
Loft and weight
Most of the best comforters are available in more than one weight, or thickness. If you live in a colder climate and/or run cold yourself, consider a heavy-weight or winter comforter with a lot of loft (or fluff). For a warmer climate, you’ll likely want to look for something lightweight with less bulk.
The same buying advice, by the way, applies to duvets. For a more in-depth discussion, read our guide to duvets vs. comforters.
Our top down alternative comforters picks
Best value down alternative comforter: Quince Premium Down Alternative Comforter
Made with hypoallergenic, microfiber synthetic fill, this comforter from Quince provides the feel of down without the sneezing and stuffy nose experienced by those susceptible to allergies. The baffle box construction keeps the fill evenly distributed and the corner loops allow you to secure it to a cover, although with the soft, 100% cotton sateen cover material, you may not want to. And, since it's completely machine washable, you don’t have to, either. (Check out our guide to how to wash comforters for the best way to keep your purchase looking fresh.)
Specifications:
- Cover material: Cotton sateen
- Fill material: Microfiber
- Cooling features: Breathable
- Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king
- Price at time of publish: $129 (sale); $259 (regular)
What we like:
- Breathable cotton shell
- Great for allergy sufferers
- 365-day trial period
What we don’t like:
- Some reviewers report it being a bit too thin for an all-season option
The bottom line:
An all-season down alternative comforter with a microfiber, synthetic fill, and breathable 100% cotton shell that’s great for those prone to allergies.
Quince Premium Down Alternative Comforter
Best budget down alternative comforter: Puredown All Seasons Dobby Square Down Alternative Comforter
The Puredown All Seasons Comforter features a sewn-through construction to keep the polyester fiber fill from shifting around inside. It has corner loops to attach to a duvet cover and an edge finished with piping, which helps ensure none of the fiber will work its way out through the edges. It's Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it’s free from harmful materials, and it’s machine-washable in cold water, so you don’t have to worry about schlepping it to a professional cleaner.
Specifications:
- Cover material: Polyester
- Fill material: Polyester fiberfill
- Cooling features: No
- Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king
- Price at time of publish: $79.99
What we like:
- Quality construction
- Excellent price
- Oeko-Tex certified
What we don’t like:
- The polyester cover may be too hot for some
The bottom line:
A polyester fiber-filled all season comforter featuring quality construction details at a great, budget-friendly price.
Puredown All Seasons Dobby Square Down Alternative Comforter
Best luxury down alternative comforter: Cozy Earth Bamboo Comforter
Made from bamboo viscose*, this Cozy Earth comforter is breathable and luxurious. Bamboo, an exceptionally soft fabric, has both natural temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking properties. As an allergy sufferer who doesn’t like polyester, I purchased this comforter when looking for a quality down alternative and love how soft it is while still having weight behind it. I’ve used it through all seasons, and it keeps me cool through the summer and warm during the winter.
*Viscose refers to the process by which trees are made into fabric (or a fill) and consists of first steeping the stalks in a solution that renders them pliable, then performing a series of additional steps including shredding, aging, filtering, washing, and spinning. While making viscose is not considered to be very eco-friendly by some, Cozy Earth only works with factories that recycle the water and recaptures the chemicals used in the viscose process.
Specifications:
- Cover material: Bamboo viscose
- Fill material: Bamboo viscose
- Cooling features: Temperature regulating
- Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king
- Price at time of publish: $399 (sale); $499 (regular)
What we like:
- Incredibly soft
- Breathable bamboo fabric and fill
- Durable
What we don’t like:
- Not machine washable
The bottom line:
This 100% bamboo viscose (both shell and fill) comforter delivers a soft, luxurious feel from a company that strives to be eco-conscious and sustainable.
Comforters (Size: King) - Cozy Earth
Best fluffy down alternative comforter: Pottery Barn Dream Brushed Cotton Comforter
The Pottery Barn Dream Brushed Cotton Comforter features a tuft construction for a fluffier, loftier appearance and feel. Instead of lines of stitching through the layers or an internal baffle box, a tufted construction offers a series of single stitch points placed at equal distances throughout the material. This is the same construction method used often in upholstery, usually with a button to secure the stitches. Basically, if you love a comforter with a lot of puff, you’ll love this one. The other cool thing about this comforter is that the fill includes a material called repreve, made from recycled plastic bottles. If you want to learn more about how plastic waste becomes fiber, you can read about it here on Unifi’s website, a company that makes a variety of products from plastic waste.
Specifications:
- Cover material: Cotton
- Fill material: Tencel, Repreve (made from recycled plastic bottles), polyester
- Cooling features: Not listed
- Sizes: Full/queen, king
- Price at time of publish: $169
What we like:
- Comes in four different colors
- Very fluffy
- Include recycled plastic bottles in the fill
What we don’t like:
- Only comes in two sizes
The bottom line:
A fluffy, luxurious down alternative comforter made with a tufted construction and featuring a fill that contains recycled plastic bottles.
Pottery Barn Dream Brushed Cotton Comforter
Softest down alternative comforter: Silk and Snow Down Alternative Comforter
Featuring a vegan, microfiber fill, this down alternative comforter from Silk and Snow is comfortable, incredibly soft, and free from harmful materials (it's Oeko-Tex certified). It’s constructed with square baffle boxes to keep the fill evenly distributed, clump-free, and lofty. The 100% cotton cover adds breathability with a soft feel. It’s also available in three weights: Lightweight, all season, and winter. Silk and Snow offers a 100-night trial period, meaning you can return it for a refund or exchange as long as it remains in a donatable condition (no tears, unsightly stains, or weird odors).
Specifications:
- Cover material: Cotton
- Fill material: Microfiber
- Cooling features: Breathable cotton shell
- Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king
- Price at time of publish: $120
What we like:
- 100-night trial
- 100% animal-free
- Breathable cotton shell
What we don’t like:
- Lightweight version is still a bit heavy for many hot sleepers
The bottom line:
A down alternative comforter with a vegan microfiber fill, cotton shell, and 100-night trial period.
Silk and Snow Down Alternative Comforter
Best cooling down alternative comforter for hot sleepers: Buffy Cloud Comforter
Buffy’s down alternative comforter is made from Tencel lyocell* and features a tear drop-shaped, through-stitching pattern and a fill made from recycled plastic water bottles (each comforter contains the equivalent of approximately 50 plastic bottles). Unlike most comforters that use loose down or polyester fibers, this one consists of multiple fine layers of fill–105 to be exact. This means there are no cold spots caused by the fill shifting. Corner loops easily attach to a duvet cover and the eucalyptus makes it exceptionally breathable for hot sleepers.
*Like viscose, Tencel refers to the process of taking wood (in this case eucalyptus) and breaking it down in a chemical solution until it becomes a pulp that can be made into fibers. Tencel creates its material using a sustainable closed loop process that recovers the water and 99.8% of the chemicals used.
Specifications:
- Cover material: Tencel eucalyptus lyocell
- Fill material: GRS-certified, BPA-free, recycled PET fill
- Cooling features: Breathable eucalyptus lyocell shell
- Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king
- Price at time of publish: $151.20 (sale); $189.00 (regular)
What we like:
- 7-day trial period and 50-day return policy
- Eco-conscious construction and manufacturing
- Breathable
What we don’t like:
- Not dryer-friendly (needs to be hung dry)
The bottom line:
Eco-conscious, comfy, alternative down comforter made from eucalyptus lyocell with a PET fiber fill.
Buffy.co
Best heavyweight down alternative comforter for cold sleepers: The Company Store Luxe Loftaire Ultra Olympia
Stuffed with their exclusive recycled polyester fill, Loftaire, this down alternative comforter from The Company Store is perfect for those in the “I’m always freezing” camp. The sateen cotton shell means it’s still breathable and the baffle box construction ensures all the lofty fluffiness remains equally distributed. It’s available in three thicknesses: Medium, extra, and ultra. You can use this comforter on its own or attach it to a duvet cover via the corner loops.
Specifications:
- Cover material: Cotton
- Fill material: Recycled polyester
- Cooling features: Breathable cotton shell
- Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king
- Price at time of publish: $349
What we like:
- Available in three thicknesses
- Soft, breathable cotton shell
- Warm and cozy
What we don’t like:
- Expensive
The bottom line:
Super warm, lofty comforter made with a recycled polyester fill and cotton sateen shell.
The Company Store Luxe Loftaire Ultra Olympia
Best all-season down alternative comforter: Brooklinen Down Alternative Comforter
Filled with a 100% PET recycled microfiber fill and constructed using a baffle box technique, the Brooklinen Down Alternative Comforter is eco-conscious and warm. The all-season version keeps you warm and cozy while being breathable, and while this comforter doesn’t require a duvet cover, it's equipped with corner loops in the event you decide to use one. One of the best reasons to purchase this comforter is Brooklinen’s return policy, which allows you to try it out for up to 365 days and still return it (for a $9.95 fee). Their dedication to customer service also earned them a spot on our list of the best places to buy bedding.
Specifications:
- Cover material: Cotton sateen
- Fill material: 100% PET recycled microfiber
- Cooling features: Breathable
- Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king
- Price at time of publish: $259
What we like:
- Super cozy and fluffy
- 365-day return policy
- Available in three weights
What we don’t like:
- Spot clean only
The bottom line:
An eco-conscious, lofty, and fluffy all season down alternative comforter with a generous 365-day return policy.
Brooklinen Down Alternative Comforter size Twin/Twin XL
Best lightweight down alternative comforter: Parachute Down Alternative Duvet Insert
Meticulously sewn with baffle box construction and double stitching in the edges, Parachute’s down alternative comforter offers a durable, beautifully made lightweight option for warmer nights and hot sleepers. The 100% cotton sateen shell adds breathability while the hypoallergenic microfiber fill alleviates most possibilities of allergic reactions. The company, known for its minimalist, luxurious products, offers a 60-day return policy and a 5-year warranty.
Specifications:
- Cover material: Cotton
- Fill material: Microfiber
- Cooling features: Breathable cotton shell
- Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king
- Price at time of publish: $208 (sale); $260 (regular)
What we like:
- Lightweight option that’s still fluffy
- 5-year warranty
- Oeko-Tex certified
What we don’t like:
- Expensive compared to others
The bottom line:
Lightweight, yet still fluffy and cozy down alternative comforter made with a cotton shell and microfiber fill.
King/Cal King Down Alternative Comforter | Parachute
Best medium-weight down alternative comforter: The Company Store Down Alternative Comforter
Made with sustainably-produced Tencel lyocell and recycled polyester fill, this is one of The Company Store’s most eco-conscious and hypoallergenic down alternative comforters. Tencel lyocell, which is naturally resistant to dust mites and sourced from wood fibers, offers excellent breathability and temperature regulation, and feels soft against the skin. Neither too heavy nor too light, this is a wonderful medium-weight comforter. Corner loops provide attachment points if you want to add an optional duvet cover.
Specifications:
- Cover material: Tencel Lyocell and cotton
- Fill material: Recycled polyester and Tencel lyocell
- Cooling features: Breathable and temperature regulating Tencel
- Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king
- Price at time of publish: $259
What we like:
- Lofty appearance and feel
- Breathable
- Buttery soft shell
What we don’t like:
- Pricier than some other options
The bottom line:
Sustainably manufactured, medium weight alternative down comforter, made with a soft Tencel and cotton shell and recycled polyester and Tencel fill.
The Company Store Down Alternative Comforter
Best easy-care down alternative comforter: Stylewell Down Alternative Comforter
Unlike other budget friendly comforters, this one features a cotton shell material instead of polyester, for more breathability. Made with a standard 10-inch square, through-stitch design and piped edges, this machine washable and dryable comforter holds up well through multiple washings. The medium weight is great for all-year use and the corner loops keep it secure when inserted into a duvet cover.
Specifications:
- Cover material: Cotton
- Fill material: Polyester
- Cooling features: Breathable cotton shell
- Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king
- Price at time of publish: $74 (sale); $169 (regular)
What we like:
- Breathable cotton cover
- Great value
- Comes in two warmth options
What we don’t like:
- Some reviewers report that it arrives with an unpleasant smell (which goes away after a few washings)
The bottom line:
Budget-friendly, durable down alternative comforter with a breathable cotton shell.
Medium Weight White Full/Queen Down Alternative Comforter
How we selected the best down alternative comforters
As a tailor and pattern maker with 32 years of experience, I know a lot about textiles, fabrics, and construction techniques. I believe in finding well-made products from companies that value sustainability, fair trade, and environmentally-conscious practices and materials. I also researched online consumer reviews to determine which products provided the best balance of value, durability, comfort, warmth, and breathability.
What types of down alternative comforters are available?
Down alternative comforters are available in various weights, ranging from light to heavy. Fill material can be a synthetic polyester (often made from recycled plastic bottles), bamboo or eucalyptus Tencel, or even silk or wool.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
Are down alternative comforters worth it?
For those that suffer from allergies and/or strive to maintain an animal-free/vegan existence, an alternative down comforter is worth it. Many of them provide the same comfortable, lofty feel you’d expect from actual down without the feathers themselves.
Can you machine wash a down alternative comforter?
Most down alternative comforters are machine washable, which is part of their appeal. Use cold water, mild detergent, and a gentle cycle as well as the low or air dry setting on your dryer for best results.
What is the best material for a down alternative comforter?
Choose your shell material based on how hot or cold you tend to sleep. Cotton and other natural fibers like bamboo and eucalyptus provide breathability without sacrificing warmth, while polyester options will be warmer—likely too warm for hot sleepers.
Is a down alternative comforter too hot in summer?
If your down alternative comforter is constructed with a breathable fabric cover made from cotton or bamboo, it shouldn’t be too hot for summer. Many companies also offer lightweight options, which are thinner with less fill, that work well in the warmer months.
How often should you replace a down alternative comforter?
The conventional rule is that you should replace your down alternative comforter every five to ten years, as they tend to lose their shape and fluffiness over time. To extend its life, read our guide on how to store comforters properly.
How do I choose the right comforter weight?
Consider the climate you live in and your body temperature. Some people sleep hot no matter the weather and will likely be happier with a lightweight comforter. Others are almost always cold and would benefit from an all-weather or heavyweight one. Also, think about whether you like the feeling of weight on you while sleeping—I fall into this camp and prefer a fluffy, heavier comforter even when it's 90 degrees (I have the summer electric bill to prove it).
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