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Naturally moisture wicking and temperature regulating, silk is used as a naturally hypoallergenic fill in some of the most luxurious comforters. It keeps you dry and comfortable in most any climate through all the seasons (or lack thereof). It’s also good for allergies, especially those of the dust mite variety. The silk in silkworm cocoons naturally protects the worm from their natural predators, one of which is indeed the dust mite. And that’s not all the benefits silk provides.
A 2019 study concluded that silk clothing could be used as a way to help control and mitigate the severity of atopic dermatitis, a chronic itchy skin condition. And a 2016 research article outlined and analyzed the existence of antimicrobial proteins in the silk created by silkworms and waxworms. If you experience allergy related discomfort while trying to sleep, or you’re a perpetually hot sleeper who likes the feel of a good blanket, a silk comforter may just be the perfect solution for all your nighttime woes.
What to consider when buying silk comforters
To help you decide which silk comforter is best suited for you, here are some things to consider. Some of them may not weigh too heavily on your final choice—such as how different types of silk are harvested—but as someone who works in a textile related industry (I’m a pattern maker and tailor) I find this information infinitely fascinating. The more you know, right?
Type of silk
You’ll see a few different descriptors in the fill content of each of the comforters below. If identified by the manufacturer, I’ve included whether it is made from the silk of a Mulberry or Tussah silkworm and whether it is long strand silk or not.
The biggest difference between Mulberry and Tussah worms is that the former are domesticated—fed only leaves of mulberry trees—while the latter are wild worms that eat whatever they want. Because of this, Mulberry silk is smoother, finer, and pure white, while Tussah silk has a slightly coarser feel and comes in various shades of tan and cream. Tussah silk, when woven into fabric yardage, will have flecks of darker threads throughout, creating a material with some texture. Neither is specifically better; it’s really a personal preference.
Mulberry silk creates a lighter, more cloud-like effect because of the thinner strands. Speaking of strands, you’ll notice the term “long strand” silk in some of the descriptions. This means that the silk was unraveled from the cocoon in one continuous strand, another detail that points to products that will have an exceptionally lightweight and “smooth” feel.
If you’re shopping for silk sheets to coordinate with the best comforter for you, you’ll also want to familiarize yourself with momme and silk grading. Read our guide to the best silk sheets for more information and expert recommendations.
Care
Some silk comforters can be washed in a machine while others are dry-clean only. Consider your laundry/cleaning habits when deciding which to purchase. You can read more about how to wash a comforter, as well as how to store comforters here.
Loops for cover attachment
If you buy a comforter that is dry-clean only, you may want the ability to insert it into a duvet cover. A duvet is a quilted blanket with some kind of filling that is designed to be used with a removable, usually washable, cover. To keep your duvet or comforter from sliding around inside its cover, it should have loops at all corners (and ideally in the middle of each side) that accommodate corresponding tabs with snaps or buttons inside the cover.
If you’re looking for an excellent duvet cover also made from silk, check out this one on Etsy: MoonBerry Silk’s 19 Momme Silk Duvet Cover.
Return policy and warranty
A good silk comforter can be pricey. Look for companies that offer good return policies and warranties if possible.
You may not be able to find silk comforters at all places to buy bedding so I’ve done a bunch of the leg work for you and put together this list of the best silk comforters available.
Our top silk comforters picks
Best silk comforter for hot sleepers: Cuddle Dreams Silk Comforter
Hand pulled and secured using a hand tacking method (as opposed to machine stitching) this comforter from Cuddle Dreams features 100% long strand silk. Harvested by unraveling a silk cocoon in one continuous thread, material made and woven with long strand silk results in an exceptionally strong and high-quality end product. It also allows for a thinner, lighter weight blanket without sacrificing comfort and coziness (for those who can’t sleep without covers). Perfect for warmer climates and hot sleepers!
Specifications:
- Cover material: Cotton
- Fill material: 100% long strand silk
- Sizes: Baby, Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Cooling features: Yes
- Price at time of publish: $159.90 Queen (Spring/Summer/Fall fill weight)
What we like:
- Not bulky
- Comes in two fill weights: Spring/Summer/Fall and Winter
- Eligible for Prime shipping
- Great for warmer climates
What we don’t like:
- Some reviewers report that sizing is off.
The bottom line:
Well-made non-bulky silk comforter suitable for warm climates and hot sleepers.
CUDDLE DREAMS Silk Comforter for Spring/Summer/Fall, 100% Long-Strand Silk Filling, Natural & Breathable (Queen, 86 in x 90 in)
Most durable silk comforter: THXSILK 7A Grade Luxury Mulberry Silk Comforter
With a double cocoon Mulberry silk fill and jacquard cotton cover, this comforter from THXSILK earns high marks in the durability department. Double cocoon silk—also called dupioni—is made when two or more silkworms spin a cocoon together resulting in a stronger and more durable silk thread than that which is made from a single silkworm cocoon.
Jacquard fabric (woven on a specific kind of loom invented by Joseph Marie Jacquard) features patterns woven into the material and tends to be stronger and thicker than that made using other types of looms. The combination of jacquard cotton and double cocoon Mulberry silk makes this luxury comforter from THXSILK one of the most durable available (and it's super soft and warm).
Specifications:
- Cover material: 500 thread count jacquard cotton
- Fill material: 100% double cocoon Mulberry silk
- Sizes: Twin, Queen, King
- Cooling features: Naturally moisture wicking
- Price at time of publish: $249.99 Queen (Summer fill weight)
What we like:
- Durable, thick cotton cover
- OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100 certification (no harmful chemicals)
- Super soft
- Comes in three fill weights: Summer, Spring & Fall, Winter
What we don’t like:
- Not machine washable
The bottom line:
Extremely durable, soft, luxury silk comforter made with a jacquard cotton cover and double cocoon silk.
THXSILK 7A Grade Luxury Mulberry Silk Comforter
Best affordable silk comforter: SilKicah Mulberry Silk Comforter
This Mulberry silk comforter from SilKicah features a long strand Mulberry silk filling secured using traditional hand stitching to hold it in place. This is a thin, drapey, soft comforter that wraps around you in the way I imagine a cloud would (if clouds could be fashioned into blankets). For added warmth in the winter months, use the eight loops to tie two of them together.
Specifications:
- Cover material: 250 thread count long-staple cotton sateen
- Fill material: 6A grade double cocoon long strand Mulberry silk
- Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
- Cooling features: Nature thermal regulation
- Price at time of publish: $159.99 Queen
What we like:
- Eight loops for attaching the inside cover and keeping two together
- Excellent price
- Very lightweight
What we don’t like:
- Dry-clean only
The bottom line:
A soft, drapey, lightweight silk comforter made from high quality materials at a very reasonable price.
SilKicah Mulberry Silk Comforter Queen Size for All Season, 100% Natural Long Strand Silk Filled Comforter, Pure Silk Quilt Blanket Duvet Breathable Lightweight(86"×90")
Best reversible silk comforter: White Noise Silk Comforter
Using baffle box construction and a 100% cotton shell, the winter weight White Noise Comforter is completely reversible—there are no discernable differences no matter how you put it on your bed. Baffle box construction separates the fill inside a comforter using pockets made from stitched interior walls as opposed to sewing through all the layers. This makes for a flatter surface with innards that do not shift while also ensuring the top and bottom layers look identical.
Specifications:
- Cover material: Cotton
- Fill material: 100% silk
- Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King/California king
- Cooling features: Naturally moisture wicking
- Price at time of publish: $235.99 Queen
What we like:
- Machine washable
- Reversible
- 5-year warranty
- Certified asthma and allergy friendly by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) and Asthma Society of Canada
What we don’t like:
- No loops for duvet cover attachment
The bottom line:
Reversible, winter weight silk comforter made using baffle box construction (which ensures even layers and prevents shifting of the innards).
White Noise Silk Comforter
Softest silk comforter: Nest Silk Cloud Comforter
As one reviewer wrote, this comforter is lux enough to leave to your children (or best friend) in your will. Made with a soft sateen cover and Mulberry silk filling, it feels both weightless and cozy, delivering just the right amount of warmth balanced with enough breathability to keep comfortable through every season.
Specifications:
- Cover material: 300 thread count certified organic cotton sateen
- Fill material: 6A grade 19 momme Mulberry silk
- Sizes: Full/Queen, King/California King
- Cooling features: Naturally moisture wicking
- Price at time of publish: $393.30 Full/Queen
What we like:
- Comes with a reusable carry tote
- 30-night trial
- Fluffy, soft, and silky
What we don’t like:
- Dry-clean only
The bottom line:
Soft and silky, high quality silk comforter with impressive breathability and cooling properties plus, a 30-night trial period.
Nest Silk Cloud Comforter
Best for all seasons silk comforter: LILYSILK All Season Silk Comforter
Soft, fluffy, and luxurious, this comforter from LILYSILK will keep you warm without making you sweat. Heavier and thicker than some of the other comforters on this list (while still maintaining excellent breathability properties), this one works well through all the seasons. Plus, it comes with a dust bag for storage.
Specifications:
- Cover material: Long-staple cotton or 19 momme charmeuse silk
- Fill material: Long strand silk
- Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Cooling features: Naturally moisture wicking and breathable
- Price at time of publish: $259.00 (cotton cover)/$419.00 (silk cover) Queen
What we like:
- Soft and fluffy
- Option of cotton or silk cover
- 30-day return policy
What we don’t like:
- Expensive
The bottom line:
Soft, fluffy, all-season silk comforter with a cotton or silk cover for excellent breathability and moisture wicking capabilities.
LILYSILK Silk Comforter Pure Silk Twin White Healthy Skin And Hair Natural Benefits
Best hypoallergenic silk comforter: SmartSilk™ Silk Filled Comforter
Certified by the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, this comforter contains no significant levels of any chemicals known to trigger asthma, allergy, or other irritant responses. Like the silk filament from Mulberry silkworms, the Tussah silk in this SmartSilk™ comforter possesses natural body temperature regulation abilities. While the strands are stiffer than those obtained from domesticated Mulberry silkworms, they still offer exceptional softness as well as breathability.
Specifications:
- Cover material: 233 thread count cotton sateen
- Fill material: Tussah silk
- Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King
- Cooling features: Naturally moisture wicking
- Price at time of publish: $229.99 Queen
What we like:
- Comes in white, taupe, and gray
- Certified allergy and asthma friendly
- Machine washable and dryable
What we don’t like:
- No loops for a duvet cover
The bottom line:
Lightweight, certified asthma and allergy friendly silk comforter available in colors besides white.
SMARTSILK Queen Comforter, Lightweight Bed Comforter Made from Pure Cotton and Tussah Silk, Naturally Cooling Comforter, Allergy-Friendly Queen Size Comforter, Taupe, 86 x 90 inches
Best breathable silk comforter: Cozy Earth Silk Comforter
Made from bamboo viscose with Mulberry silk filling, the Cozy Earth Silk Comforter is one of the most breathable options I’ve found. Bamboo viscose is generally more breathable (by nature of its looser structural weave) than cotton and exceptionally adept at venting excess heat and moisture out and away from your body. Cozy Earth also offers an impressive 100-night sleep trial for all its products, this comforter included, so you’ve literally nothing to lose by trying one—except for sweaty, restless nights. Oh, and Oprah recommends this comforter if that helps sway your decision.
Specifications:
- Cover material: Bamboo viscose
- Fill material: Mulberry silk
- Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Cooling features: Naturally moisture wicking, plus breathable bamboo cover
- Price at time of publish: $615.20 Queen
What we like:
- 100-night sleep trial
- 10-year warranty
- Exceptionally breathable
What we don’t like:
- Spot clean or dry-clean only
The bottom line:
Breathable, eco-conscious, high-end silk comforter with a 100-night sleep trial and 10-year warranty.
Comforters (Size: King) - Cozy Earth
How we selected the best silk comforters
Perpetually on the quest for a good night’s sleep, I’ve tried an inordinate amount of bedding options. As well as writing about and reviewing home products and apparel for the past decade, I also have over 30 years of experience with textiles and fabrics as a professional tailor and pattern maker for film, television, theater, and fashion. And, I extensively researched company profiles and online reviews to compile this list. I took into consideration price and quality, as well as customer reviews.
Can you use a silk comforter year round?
Yes, silk is naturally temperature regulating and breathable. Its incredibly smooth texture means it doesn’t absorb moisture like many other materials, making it perfect to use year round.
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
How long do silk comforters last?
A quality silk comforter lasts for at least ten years, and often much longer if you care for it properly (follow the manufacturer’s instructions). As a natural fiber, silk does break down after years and years of use, especially when it comes in contact with human sweat. As the Shop Manager and Head Tailor on HBO’s Boardwalk Empire, a huge number of vintage silk garments from the 1920s came through my shop, in varying states of fragility. Many of them successfully made it through some very long days of shooting despite being close to 100 years old at the time. All of this is to say that your silk comforter could very well last for decades.
Are silk comforters worth it?
Silk comforters are definitely worth it if you suffer from allergies or tend to get too hot when sleeping under comforters with down or synthetic fillings. A silk comforter wicks moisture while allowing for excellent air circulation. They’re also a great investment because they last so long with proper care, and are versatile enough to use in every season.
Which is better, a silk or down comforter?
Silk comforters can be better for your health as they naturally resist mold and bacteria build up. They’re also resistant to dust mites and other allergens. They also tend to be less bulky than their down counterparts. A down comforter, though, will keep you warmer through the cold months. Feathers trap heat underneath them (which is how birds stay warm in freezing temperatures). Silk does the same when it’s cold but it also draws heat from the body when it's warm. If you’re a chronically hot sleeper, a silk comforter may be the best choice for you but, if you’re one of those people who are always cold, you may prefer a down one. You can read more about the best down comforters here.
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