Duvet Vs Comforter: How Are They Different And Which Is Right For You?

With both function and aesthetics at play, choosing the right bedding is important for fostering a restful night's sleep, as well as making your bed look like it was styled by a pro. While all the inner layers of bedding tend to be primarily for coziness and comfort, the bed topper you choose also helps define the look of the bedroom space. There are a few different options for the visible outer layer of bedding, two of which are very popular: the duvet and comforter. 

Both of these bedding essentials are beautiful ways to get that plush, cozy vibe while also providing the warmth and bulk of your bedding's comfort, so how exactly do these two bedspreads differ? The main difference between a duvet and comforter is the way the bed topper is constructed. Duvets actually consist of two elements, an outer cover or sleeve for aesthetics, hygiene, and protection, as well as a plush inner insert for warmth, comfort, and coziness. 

Similar to the structure of a duvet insert, a comforter is all one piece, with two panels of decorative fabric sewn together to form a shell with a filling in between. Aside from construction, there are a few other ways the two bedding essentials differ, including weight, material, and budget, so let's dig into the nitty-gritty to help you determine which type of bedspread is best for you.

Duvets are assembled by placing the fluffy insert inside the protective cover, though this is definitely more of a wrestling match than it sounds. (You may need to find a buddy to make the process more efficient and timely.) But because the insert never directly contacts your skin thanks to the protective cover, it requires less frequent washing. It's much easier to toss the thin outer cover in the wash regularly over the big, bulky materials within.

The puffy insert can be filled with feathers, down, or synthetic materials, and are available in various weights appropriate for different climates, times of the year, or personal sleeping preferences to be perfectly tailored to your needs. Additionally, since the covers are sold independently from the inserts, you can easily swap out your aesthetic while maintaining your ideal insert. However, with two separate components, the upfront cost for a duvet is typically higher than it would be with a comforter.

Conversely, since a comfortable fabric comforter is an all-in-one bed topper, it is typically designed with easy-to-maintain cotton or synthetic filling and to be more lightweight for the sake of manageable washing. The more plush the comforter is, the more cumbersome it is to launder. In fact, some of the puffier comforters or those with delicate construction are not recommended for washing in home laundry machines, requiring large drum commercial washing machines or dry cleaning instead.

The one-piece comforter doesn't require reassembly before making the bed, making it a timesaver once it's out of the wash compared to the inconvenient duvet insert process. Since it is a standalone bedspread, this also means it is generally more affordable than multi-piece duvet alternatives. However, this all-in-one design also means that any comforters will have limitations and fewer customizable options when it comes to weight, material, and look. If you like the aesthetics of a comforter, you are likely stuck with the one material and filling combination it comes in, and vice versa.

When it comes to choosing the right bedding topper for your home, weighing washability, fabric, filling, weight, and budget all come into play for deciding if a duvet cover set or comforter best fits your needs.