Duvet Test

Which duvet is considered the best according to duvet tests?

Duvets in test - What factors characterize a good duvet?

Basically, the duvet can be compared to a bed air conditioner and mattress. It keeps pleasantly warm, but also ensures that moisture can be optimally dissipated. Due to their excellent thermal properties, down duvets are favored, although, as many duvet tests confirm, there are significant quality differences. Regardless of the filling material, duvets are specifically designed for certain seasons or purposes. Insulating duvets are best suited for the cold months. Duvets with average thermal effect are used in the so-called "transitional period," while particularly light versions provide the best temperature balance in summer.

Duvet Test - Types of Duvets

There are a number of different blankets. We have collected these and noted exactly how they differ. There are significant differences between the duvets:

Light duvet: This is a thin duvet with a low filling weight, usually quilted in small squares, that lies particularly lightly on the skin. Due to the low thermal insulation, it is the ideal summer duvet.
Combination duvet: This 4 seasons duvet combines a mono duvet (transitional) and a light duvet (summer), which can be buttoned together to form a warm winter duvet.
Mono duvet: The classic transitional duvet lies in terms of warming effect between a light and a duo duvet. However, it can also be used as an all-year-round duvet.
Duo duvet: Similar to a combination duvet, two individual duvets are combined together. However, the duvets are firmly connected to each other. This creates a significant warming effect.
Travel duvet: These duvets are comparable to particularly light and thin summer duvets that can also be stored space-saving in travel luggage.

Duvet Test - Duvet Fillings

As diverse as the variety of blankets is, there are just as many fillings. From polyester to natural hair, down, and whatever else the market offers, the selection seems enormous.

Eiderdown

Eiderdown is the most valuable down of all. It comes from the eider duck, which lives in Greenland and Iceland. There, it is collected by hand from the nests. Eiderdown has many barbs, allowing it to cling together intensely. The eiderdown blankets are airy light yet beautifully warm, cozy, snug, and balanced. You neither sweat nor freeze.

Silk

Science has found that the organic structure of silk is closest to that of the skin. Silk allows the skin to breathe and has a stimulating effect. A special property of pure silk is its highest tear resistance of all natural fibers. A silk thread of 1 m length can stretch by more than 15 cm without breaking. A silk thread is so thin that a thread of about 500 m weighs only about 1 g. Silk is a filament from the silkworm. The fiber is processed into a fleece and quilted with the cover. It is important that it is degummed, i.e., relatively dust-free. For this reason, silk is the ideal fabric for allergy sufferers.

Cotton

Cotton is a fine, smooth seed fiber that is easy to wash, provides a pleasant sleeping climate, in short, recommended for hygienic, washable, and comfortable bedding filling.

Merino wool

Merino wool comes from the Merino sheep, which grows to about 1.2 m tall and produces 2.5-4.5 kg of wool per year. The main producers of this wool are New Zealand, Australia, the USA, South Africa, South America, and Europe. Merino wool is the most suitable of all wool types for bedding. Due to its natural crimp, it has particularly high elasticity and loft. This unprocessed wool retains its climate-regulating properties, temperature balance, and moisture absorption capacity.
Cashmere hair comes from the cashmere goat, which grows to about 80 cm tall and produces 100g of wool. It mainly lives in Mongolia, the Himalayas, Iran, and Afghanistan. During the shedding season, the fine undercoat is combed out of the fur or collected from bushes and rocks.

Camel hair

The camel grows to about 2.1 m tall and provides 5 kg of fine camel hair per year. Occurrences: Western China, Outer Mongolia, North Africa. The Bactrian camel has very fine soft, silky hair. The camels are not sheared. Instead, the hair is painstakingly collected, which has been rubbed off the animals on trees, bushes, and fences.

Synthetic filling

There are three categories of synthetic fibers: the full fibers, without a chamber in the core, the hollow fiber, which includes a chamber in the core, and the high loft fibers, which curl up inside. Between these three categories, there are worlds in terms of quality. Full fibers perform poorly compared to the other two areas. The hollow fiber filling, on the other hand, is a good option in the synthetic range. They provide a fluffy light comfort feeling, transport the moisture well, and are breathable. Microfibers are made of thin but very tear-resistant material.

Duvet Test - What should I consider when choosing my duvet?

The choice of the right duvet depends on your personal requirements and preferences. If you like to sleep cool, you should opt for a thin duvet made of cotton. If you always want to be cozy and snug, you will sink best into a thick down duvet. And high-priced duvets with camel hair filling are well suited as year-round duvets. We recommend allergy sufferers a quilt with synthetic filling. It is washable up to 95°C and can be cleaned regularly without any hassle. The quilt is nowadays the classic among duvets!

Comforter Test - The Quilted Bed

The quilt is basically the classic in our bedrooms. The stitching is particularly practical and serves to distribute the filling material well, so that it is evenly spread across the blanket. This way, you can ensure that you are well warmed and covered with every part of the blanket. The filling cannot shift.

Comforter Test - The Balloon Bed

In the classic balloon beds from grandmother's times, the filling is simply blown in. The filling usually consists of feathers, which have a similar thermal property to down, but feathers are not as fine as down and can therefore poke through the cover. You are responsible for the even distribution. These beds are no longer in fashion today.

Comforter Test - The Down Comforter: What is actually a down?

Colloquially, many people use the terms down comforter and feather comforter interchangeably. However, this is not correct. The two differ significantly from each other. Feathers are the visible outer layer, while down is the invisible underlayer. They also differ in appearance; down looks more like a snowflake. Down lacks the quill and is therefore much lighter compared to feathers. Down is light and simultaneously provides good thermal insulation and moisture regulation. Down can absorb the sweat released and transfer it to the environment. This prevents the feeling of dampness under the blanket. Not all down is the same; there is duck down, goose down, and eider down. These differ significantly in quality. Duck down is the lowest quality, as it is very small and can break more easily. Goose down has good quality, but one should pay attention to the living conditions. A goose that has free range, always fresh water, and good feed is larger and consequently has larger down.

The eider duck as a protected species

Eiderdown is a true luxury product. Eider ducks are mostly found in Iceland and Greenland. Eider ducks are a protected species that cannot be domesticated and live exclusively in the wild. Only already shed down can be collected, so only a few tons are available per year. Eiderdown is eight times more expensive than good goose down. Down is the oldest and most popular form of duvet filling. It is particularly suitable for anyone who gets cold quickly. This is because the small hairs on the down feathers trap air very well, which can hold and insulate heat. Another property of down duvets: they absorb moisture from below, that is, the sweat you release while sleeping. This moisture is then directed upwards through the duvet. So with a down duvet, you won't wake up in a sweat. The duvet is so clever that your body can breathe relaxed underneath it. In summer, a down duvet might still be a bit warm. It is soft. It is warm. It is natural. Even for sensitive people, the down duvet is suitable because it insulates ideally and regulates moisture. By the way, only duvets that are filled with at least 60% down can be called down duvets. With a lower proportion of down to feathers, it is referred to as a feather bed.

Comforter Test - Down Cassette Bed

The special quilted design in cassette form effectively prevents the filling from shifting in down comforters. Such comforters are also known as checkered quilts or quilted beds. In contrast to the traditional down balloon bed, the down filling is sewn into a quilt in small chambers that resemble individual cassettes. In a cassette comforter, the filling is even portioned individually. While the down filling in the balloon bed collects in the corners or at one end, a cassette bed ensures an even distribution of warmth. Therefore, every comforter with filling, for example with microfiber, virgin wool, or camel hair, is available as a quilt. By the way, the quilt is not only available in cassette quilting; some comforters are also quilted with elegant patterns. Thus, down quilts are more practical than a regular balloon bed.

Duvet Test - The Feather Bed

Feather beds are also filled with animal feathers, but the feathers are not as fine as down. Nevertheless, they have similar properties. However, these are not as well developed as in a 100-percent down comforter. Feather core comforters are cheaper than the down variant. However, there are also variants that are partially filled with feathers and partially with down. According to EU standards, comforters with a filling of 70% feathers must be labeled as feather beds. This filling in the feather bed used to be called three-quarter down. The feather bed is therefore significantly cheaper than a down comforter, but feather beds are not as popular in German bedrooms nowadays as the quilt with down filling. Due to the pronounced feather quills, the feathers in feather beds are rather hard, so a feather bed can feel a bit lumpy. Although the feather bed and the down comforter are two different products, the terms are often used synonymously.

The feather

Colloquially, down comforters are often referred to as feather beds, although they are significantly higher quality bedding. Feathers have been used for filling pillows, jackets, etc., since ancient times. Especially in the past, feathers were also used as decorative ornaments, for example for hats (see feather decoration). Feather quills were also used as writing instruments in the past. Feathers were and are used for fletching arrows. Feathers are so famous that they are even used by Frau Holle. While feathers are somewhat harder and more robust, the small down is pleasantly soft. Therefore, the down content, not the feather content, is crucial for the quality of the pillows! Down is the undercoating of various birds. For pillows, goose or duck feathers and down are often used. Down serves the same purpose as it does for the bird itself. It retains heat and is therefore perfect for a restful sleep, especially in winter. The goose feathers from mature, humanely raised geese are usually larger compared to duck feathers, curve three-dimensionally much more distinctly, have a wider, blunt-tipped feather vane, and a strong, richly down-covered shaft with a round, closed shaft end.

Vorteile von Gänsefedern

It has a larger, encompassing air volume - thus better heat retention and higher elasticity - resulting in more loft. With down, the visual distinction between geese and ducks is more difficult. However, duck down is also more delicate, softer, and less elastic. The down grows under the feathers and serves the bird as additional air cushions that protect against cold or heat. A pillow that consists solely of feathers is relatively hard and too "prickly" for most people. However, if a pillow were completely filled with down, it would lack stability and the filling would be too easily compressed. This depends on how one prefers to sleep. If a softer pillow is preferred, the pure down pillow can be a recommendable option. Therefore, an ideal balance between tension/support capacity and adaptability/softness is sought. The most common variant, for example, consists of 15% down and 85% feathers. Another popular mixture consists of 30% down and 70% feathers and is somewhat softer, but has less support strength in contrast.

Duvet Test - The Cotton Blanket

Cotton is a natural material that is easy to keep clean and very durable. Cotton blankets are low-maintenance and can be dried in the dryer. Cotton blankets are the optimal solution for summer. In winter, you should either add a second blanket or choose a thicker filling material, which naturally increases the filling weight. Cotton grows as a bush or small tree in the tropics and subtropics. The cotton plant has pretty yellow flowers. From the flower, the cotton fruit develops. It is a capsule that bursts open when it is ripe. From the cotton capsule, white fluff then spills out. These are the heavily hairy seeds of the cotton. The cotton fibers cling very tightly to each seed. It is not easy to separate the soft but tough cotton fibers from the seeds. For the plant, the fibers serve a purpose. The cotton seeds in their airy fluff can easily be blown away by the wind. This allows cotton to spread. When the cotton gets wet, it absorbs a lot of water, so the seeds can germinate in it. These three properties of cotton: its lightness, its absorbency, and its toughness, make the natural fiber a great and irreplaceable raw material for jeans, T-shirts, towels, and comforters.

History of Cotton

Cotton has influenced world history for millennia and into the 20th century. Major inventions, conquests, and the slave trade were directly related to cotton. The countries of the world became increasingly connected through cotton cultivation, trade, and processing, like threads in a net... The resistance struggle of the Indians against the colonial power of England was fought with and around cotton. India, the country of origin of cotton, was exploited because of this raw material. Indian farmers and weavers lost their income. Mahatma Gandhi, the spiritual leader of India's independence, made the spinning wheel a symbol of nonviolent resistance. As a role model for all Indians, he spun his own cotton (image right) and called for not buying cheap cotton fabrics from England. The inventors of cotton fabrics and clothing lived thousands of years ago in present-day India and Pakistan, in Mexico and Peru.

Cotton in Antiquity

In ancient times, the use of local fibers such as linen, hemp, and wool was common among Egyptians, Greeks, and Romans, as well as in the rest of Europe. However, expensive silk and cotton fabrics also made their way into the Mediterranean region via the Silk Road even in early times. Through seafarers on exploratory voyages and conquests, cotton fabrics became known throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. The cloth weavers in England began processing cotton in the late 17th century. They obtained the raw material from the colonies and from America. The demand for cotton grew and grew. More and more cotton plantations were planted where slaves had to work. An era of great inventions began, and the Industrial Revolution would change the world from then on. In Germany, cotton only gained significance in the 19th century.

Comforter Test - Synthetic Comforters

Synthetic fibers have now developed to the point where they can compete with natural hair fillings for comforters. The fibers are cheaper and easier to care for, as they can be easily cleaned at home. This hygiene advantage is particularly beneficial for allergy sufferers. Additionally, you can usually vary the filling yourself. For example, in summer you can remove some filling and refill it in winter to achieve the optimal cuddly and warmth-retaining factor.

Duvet Test - Sizes

There are also many different sizes here; it is important to find the one that suits you:

135 x 200 duvet
155x200 duvet
200x200 duvet
155x220 duvet
100x135 duvet
200x220 duvet
80x80 duvet (children's duvet)

Most people manage with a 135x200 duvet. Tall people should opt for extra lengths.

Duvet Test - Natural Hair Fillings

Normally, it is not necessary to wash duvets with natural hair filling in the washing machine; daily airing in fresh air is usually sufficient. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause the cover to fade. In exceptional cases, the duvet can be washed in the washing machine at 30°C. For this, use the wool wash cycle with a wool detergent. Under no circumstances should a fabric softener be used. Additionally, all water-saving programs should be deactivated to ensure sufficient wash and rinse water is available. During the spin cycle, a maximum of 800 revolutions should be set. Duvets with natural hair fillings should not be dried in the dryer. Drying should be done lying down under several linen cloths.

Duvet Test - Silk Duvets

To make silk duvets washable, cotton is mixed in. Nevertheless, these are not as robust as pure cotton or synthetic duvets. Ideally, a silk detergent should be used, possibly a full detergent without re-fatting components. The duvet should be washed on the wool program or gentle cycle. If the label states that the duvet is suitable for the dryer, choose a reduced spin speed and reduced temperature.

Synthetic duvets

All duvets made with synthetic fibers can be washed well at 60 °C. A full detergent can be used, and the duvets are usually suitable for the dryer.

Feather beds/down duvets

Down or feather duvets should not be washed too often. A thorough daily airing is usually sufficient. If it is necessary to wash a down duvet, it requires some preparation. Inspect the duvet for tears, holes, or damage. These can tear further during washing, and the down or feathers would be distributed in the washing machine. The result would be a broken washing machine, as the down is so fine that it can also settle in the pump and other parts of the washing machine. And the down duvet would also be ruined. If the down duvet has tears or holes, sew them up with a suitable thread beforehand. The washing machine should have a capacity of more than five kilos; otherwise, the down or feathers would be compressed too much. One to two tennis balls should be added to the wash cycle, which helps to loosen clumps. Choose the gentle wash cycle at 30/40 °C and avoid fabric softener. You can also wash the duvets at 60 °C to kill dust mites, but be aware that the down or feathers may be damaged. Down duvets should be dried in the dryer; air drying takes too long, and mold could form. Here too, a low spin speed and low temperature should be chosen, and the drying should be done in several steps. A drying cycle should not last longer than 20 minutes. Between drying cycles, the duvets should be shaken. One to two tennis balls should also be added during drying.

If you are looking for a new duvet, you should take a look at various test results. There are different sites that conduct such tests. One should not rely on just one test, but consume results from several sites. Different testing methods are applied, and one should also pay attention to whether the testing institute operates seriously. This can be found out after a short search on the internet. There are different categories that are tested:

Test: Sleep Feel, Comfort
Test: Sleep Feel, Climate Property
Test: Quality, Filling Material
Test: Quality, Cover
Test: Care Properties, Washability
Test: Care Properties, Drying
1Test: Special Features, Suitable for Allergy Sufferers
Test: Special Features, Product Range
Test: Quality, Ingredients, Contaminants
Test: Customer Reviews
Test: Expert opinions
Test: Product popularity
Test: Price
Test: Technical data

Before deciding on a comforter and possibly spending a lot of money, you should test it thoroughly beforehand. There are enough retailers that give you the opportunity to test the comforters for a certain period of time. Take the time you need for the test. In the end, you need to feel comfortable, so such a test is very sensible.

Comforter Test - With the Mattress Finder for your perfect mattress

Our mattress finder finds the perfect mattress for you. The mattress finder captures the following information:

Who sleeps on the mattress?
body weight
Sleeping sensation
body stature
Sleeping position
Back pain?

Comforter Test - Shipping and delivery of the Mister Sandman goods

We ship with our shipping service provider DPD. The mattress is shipped as a roll mattress. Once the goods have left our warehouse, you will receive an email with a tracking number. With this number, you can track where your mattress is currently located.

Comforter Test - Shipping and return shipping are for you free

Ordering mattresses and bedding accessories, such as pillows, toppers, and comforters in the Mister Sandman Shop, is completely risk-free. Shipping to all delivery addresses within Germany is free, including delivery to your doorstep, and return shipping including pickup by DPD is also free. For a return, you can easily schedule a pickup appointment for the mattress with our customer service. Please arrange an appointment with our customer service for this.

Duvet test - Mattress test - 30 days trial sleep

The choice for the right mattress is therefore crucial for good, healthy sleep. To assess whether a mattress is suitable for your sleep type and needs, a few minutes of lying down in the store is by no means sufficient. With us, you can extensively test the mattress. At the latest after 3 weeks, your body will have adjusted to the mattress.

Duvet test - Mister Sandman articles - Quality claim

Our products in the Mister Sandman shop are certified with the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100, product class I, recognizable by the label Textiles Vertrauen. All Mister Sandman products are therefore also suitable for babies and toddlers without any concerns.

Duvet test - Mister Sandman online shop

The Mister Sandman online shop offers high-quality mattresses in addition to toppers and pillows:

With the mattress finder, you can find the mattress perfectly tailored to you. If you still have questions, our customer service is also happy to assist you. The price comparison shows you the prices of other manufacturers that offer qualitatively similar mattresses as we do. The reviews from our customers speak for Mister Sandman.