Being able to get a good night’s sleep can sometimes feel like part black magic, part luck and a dash of good fortune.
If you’re looking to turn sleepless nights into 8 hours of soundless gold, you need to make sure that every part of your bedroom is set up for you to drift off. This doesn’t just include your mattress, but also your pillows and your bedding.
In this guide, we’re going to spill the secrets on bedding, letting you know what the difference is between a duvet and a quilt and which is better for you to sleep with at night.
Ready to find out which comes out on top? Let’s dive into the pros, cons and insider tips to solve the duvet vs quilt question.
What’s the difference between a duvet and a quilt?
First up, let’s talk about what the actual difference between a duvet and a quilt is.
Although some people might use the words interchangeably, there is a difference between the two.
What is a duvet?
As the most commonly used option in modern times, a duvet is essentially a large, flat pillow that covers your entire bed and hangs off the edges. It can come in different thicknesses, allowing you to have lighter covers for summer nights, and nice thick duvets for those cold winters.
Like a pillow, a duvet is then inserted into a cover. This cover allows you to pick patterns, colours and designs that suit your room and often comes in sets with matching pillowcases.
An easy way to think of duvets is by these sets. If they go inside a covering sheet just like a pillow, it’s a duvet.
What is a quilt?
Common in the late 17th century, quilts are an old sewing and crafting method that can be traced back to medieval times and before.
Quilts are bed covers that are made from three layers. The bottom layer is a solid piece of material, usually in a specific colour that the designer chooses.
The second layer is the insulating filler. Traditional quilts used cotton batting, but for modern quilts, this batting could be made from any material such as:
- Polyester, which is good at holding its shape. This is a thick, but relatively light material;
- Wool, which is a natural lightweight and warming material;
- Cotton and Polyester blends, which combine the comfort of cotton with the shape-holding lightness of the polyester;
- Bamboo, which is organic and very breathable, perfect for lighter, summer quilts.
Finally, you have the all-important top layer which makes the quilt, a quilt. This layer is traditionally made up of fabric scraps, which are trimmed into artful shapes and stitched together to make a pattern.
Unlike duvets, quilts are works of art that don’t need a cover. They’re fully complete, as they are.
| Duvet | Quilt |
| Two pieces (Duvet and cover) | One-piece with three layers |
| Common and a cost-effective modern solution | A traditional look that ranges in price, depending on the materials and design. |
| Down, feathers, synthetic fibres materials used | Cotton, wool, bamboo or polyester materials used on the filling layer |
| Plain white with no pattern | Can come in a range of colours, styles and materials. |
Duvet vs quilt – which is best?
Right, now we know which is which, it’s time to work out what’s better for you.
Generally speaking, there’s no clear winner here. Although duvets are more common and popular, that doesn’t mean that they are better than quilts. Each has its own unique qualities and benefits.
For example, duvets are amazing for those that want to feel warm and snug. Because duvets are made from pillow-like material, they are fluffier and softer than quilts – and a lot warmer for a cheaper price point.
If you like to change the look of your bedroom often, duvets are also a great option for you. That’s because the duvet itself is designless, but the cover you choose will add that personal touch that you can swap and change anytime you like.
The covers also make duvets easy to care for. Just strip and machine wash.
However, that is also a downside for duvets. Changing sheets is a chore that almost everyone dreads, particularly after a long day where all you want to do is crawl into bed. And to make matters worse, duvets don’t stay perfectly within sheets either. If you move around a lot during the night, the duvet will become bunched within the cover.
What about quilts?
For those that might get too hot when sleeping, quilts are an amazingly lightweight solution that will help keep you cool at night. But because they’re a lot thinner than duvets, they also work well in layers in the colder months to keep you warm and give your bedroom a more boho or traditional feel.
But one of the biggest benefits of a quilt is its unique design. A quilt isn’t a blank canvas that you cover with sheets – they’re works of art. And depending on where you get yours from, they can be personalised with fabrics and patterns that mean a lot to you.
If you’re brave enough to give it a go, you could even handmake your own quilt at home for that truly unique look.
However, because of the way they’re made and the materials used, quilts have a higher price tag. The good news is that once you pay for your quilt, there are no extra costs or effort. There’s no buying covers or bedding sets. There’s no changing the covers and dreading laundry day. There’s no uncomfortable bunching at night either, giving you a beautifully designed and cool cover to sleep under.
Duvet vs quilts: a summary
| Duvet | Quilt | |
| Design | All duvets are the same, but designs can be changed with sheets | Quilts come with their own design that cannot be changes |
| Warmth | Come in different sizes and weights, typically warmer and fluffier than quilts | Lightweight and cool. Great for summer, but work well in layers for colder nights |
| Care | Easy to care for as the case can be removed and machine washed | Harder to wash and might not be machine washable |
| Ease | Duvets often don’t say perfect inside the cover and it takes a lot of time to wash and change the sheets | No sheet changing is required. It’s always good to go. |
| Price | Duvets have a lower entry price but can get expensive depending on the sheets and matching sets to go with it | More expensive because of the materials, but is one set price. |
Duvet vs quilt: which is for me?
As we’ve proven, both duvets and quilts have their strengths. If you’re unsure, answer the following questions to get closer to knowing which is best for you.
- Do you prefer to sleep warm or cool at night? If you’re always hot, try a quilt. If you like to be warm and snug, go for a duvet.
- Do you like to change your bedroom design often? If you like to switch it up, get a duvet. If having the same design doesn’t bother you, go for a quilt.
- Do you like lots of layers on your bed? If you do, a quilt is perfect fort you. If you just want one layer, go for a duvet.
There are other factors you might want to consider, but these are a great starting point. If you’re still unsure or aren’t too fussed on either, there are alternatives that you can try which we’ll cover in the next section.
What other bedding options are there?
When it comes to the world of bedding and comfort, the question isn’t as simple as duvet vs quilt. There are other contenders that we should mention and bring your attention to.
1. Comforters
Comforters are like thick bedding toppers that are usually filled with down or a synthetic substitute and are popular in the U.S.
It’s a little similar to quilts, as it has filling sandwiched in between two layers of fabric. However, comforters aren’t stitched and sewn in ornate ways and patterns. Comforters are also used a lot in children’s bedrooms, as they’re a lot more cost-effective and, well, comforting than quilts, but not as stuffy as a duvet could be for a child.
Although they’re not as ornate as quilts, comforters don’t need sheets. They’re already pretty as they are, making them a great hybrid between duvet and quilt.
However, comforters will naturally deflate over time, meaning you’ll have to replace them more often. They’re also a lot harder to clean and generally not machine washable.
2. Bedspreads
Remember going on holiday in a hot country and finding only a thin sheet on your hotel bed for the night? That’s a bedspread.
Bedspreads are a single and thin piece of fabric that’s designed to cover the entire bed. This makes them incredibly light, perfect for summer nights and tropical climates where quilts and duvets are just too much.
In the UK, bedspreads could be good summer options if you struggle to sleep, but they will not be any good in winter.
3. Weighted blankets
Weighted blankets are heavy blankets that have weighted beads or pellets sewn into the middle section of the material. The result is a blanket, that’s just really heavy.
This weight of the blanket stimulates the release of both serotonin (the happy hormone!) and oxytocin (the relaxed hormone!) making people feel calm and happy when under it. It’s like having someone hug you, and is a perfect fit for those that struggle with anxiety.
In fact, one study revealed that 63% of adults showed an overall decrease in anxiety after using weighted blankets. They’ve also been shown to help those with restless leg syndrome and improve the amount of sleep you get at night.
If you suffer from anxiety, we’d recommend pairing a weighted blanket with these sleep relaxation exercises to help you get a great night’s sleep.
If you’re interested in trying them out, we’ve tested and reviewed the best weighted blankets on the market to help you find your perfect match.
Our top three picks are:
1. Mela – (Our rating = 9.4)
Voted the UK’s best weighted blanket, Mela bring supreme comfort to your home.
Using glass pellets in their blankets, they provide an evenly weighted blanket that feels great and never bunches up, no matter how you use it. It’s hard to fault the Mela blankets – so if you have the budget for them, we’d urge you to take the plunge.
Read the full Mela review here.
2. Sommio – (Our rating = 9.1)
Sommio provides customisable blankets, allowing you to pick out your own size, weight, fabric and cover pattern. They’re amazing for those that want a weighted blanket but aren’t happy with the standard designs that are on the market.
If you’re looking for something more budget-friendly, this customisable option might not be for you.
Read the full Sommio review here.
3. Gravity – (Our rating = 8.8)
Gravity blankets are manufactured in Europe, making them a strong favourite for those outside of the UK.
The quality and comfort of their blankets is on par with some of the best brands out there, and they offer payment plans to help spread the cost if you don’t want to fork out the full amount upfront. However, the trial length is very short at 28 days, meaning you don’t get a lot of time to test out whether this is the right match for you.
Read the full Gravity review here.
Our most recommeneded weighted blankets:
| Weighted Blanket | Quality | Value For Money | Our Rating | Review | Official Site |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Excellent | Good | 9.4 | Read Review | Visit Website |
 | Excellent | Average | 9.1 | Read Review | Visit Website |
 | Average | Average | 8.8 | Read Review | Visit Website |
Duvet vs quilt: which is best?
There are pros and cons to both duvets and quilts, so when it comes to what’s better, it’s all about how you sleep at night and your own personal comfort.
But a great thing to take away from this article is that duvets and quilts are not your only option anymore – and more importantly, you don’t have to stick to just one.
Quilts are great for layering. So if you like to be warm at night but don’t want the hassle of a duvet, why not try layering your quilt with a weighted blanket for premium comfort?
It’s all down to what makes you feel good and helps you get the best night’s sleep.
