8 best winter duvets UK 2023: how to chose a duvet, synthetic, down or wool fill, and what tog do you need?

Super cosy bedding is essential to make our beds as comfortable as they possible can be while we hibernate and wait for better weather.

That’s why we’ve rounded up the best duvets, all of which have been designed to keep us as warm as possible while we sleep, or read or watch TV in bed.

How often do you need to replace your duvet

The Sleep Council, advises you should replace your duvet once every five years - unless you’ve got a cheap duvet, in which case you’ll likely need to replace it after two years.

By contrast, expensive duvets - such as they have in luxury hotels - usually last ten years.

What is a tog rating?

A tog rating describes the warmth or thermal resistance of a duvet. A higher tog rating, means a warmer duvet.

If you’re a more fussy sleeper, you may wish to use a high-tog duvet in the winter and a duvet with a lower tog rating in the summer. The “tog” scale ranges from one all the way up to 18 (the warmest duvet available in the UK).

What tog rating is best for winter?

In the winter, you might look at investing in a duvet with a 10+ tog rating.

Luxury hotels tend to have feather/down duvets, which over that delectable, warm, cosy feel, at about 10.5 tog.

Best winter duvets at a glance:

• Best for regulating your temperature: THE SIMBA Hybrid® Duvet
• Best for hotel-style luxury: Marlowe Duvet
• Best for allergy sufferers: Scooms Hungarian Goose Down Duvet
• Best for ‘hot sleepers’ and ethical comfort: Panda cloud duvet
• Best for keenly priced bedding: Nectar duvet
• Best for an eco-friendly warmer: Soak and Sleep 100% New Zealand Mitchell Wool Duvet
• Best for luxury comofrt at a reasonable price: The White Company Hypo-Allergenic Soft & Light Breathable Duvet - 10.5 Tog
• Best for a silk duvet: Jasmine Silk All Seasons Weight 100% Mulberry SILK Filled Duvet

What are the types of duvet filling?

Duvets have four main forms of filling: feather/down, wool, silk duvets, and synthetic duvets. Each type is available in a range of sizes, to match standardised bed frames - that is, single up to super king.

Different materials suit different lifestyles - some are better suited to allergy sufferers, while others are great if you want to stay cosy.

Feather/down duvets

These ubiquitous duvets are known for their warmth and opulent feel. If your duvet has a high down to feather ration, it will be lightweight. The reverse - more feather to down, is more dense. Down duvets are terrific at retaining heat - great for those who run cold, but can cause overheating (particularly an issue if you have night sweats).

Wool duvets

These dense, thick hypoallergenic are great for those with allergies. They also retain air well, perfect for keeping you warm in winter, cool in summer. Also, as it’s a natural material, they are sustainable and recyclable.

Silk duvets

One of the most luxurious (and sensual materials) - this is an indulgent choice, but also breathable, hypoallergenic and durable.

Synthetic duvets (i.e. hollowfibre or microfibre)

These emulate the qualities of feather/down duvets, but are cheaper. Easy to wash in a washing machine, they’re breathable and hypoallergenic.

What duvets do luxury hotels use?

Luxury hotels tend to have feather/down duvets, which off that delectable, warm, cosy feel, at about 10.5 tog.

For even more winter warmers for your home, check out our guides to the best electric heaters, the top weighted blankets, the best electric blankets for your bed, and also our advice for how to stay warm without using central heating.

Need a fabulous bed to lay your bedding on? Here are the best bed frames around, and our favourite mattresses for 2022.