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you could still have a fluffy, hotel-like bed cover without any down or feathers involved.
The Spruce
Our editors prefer down alternative comforters as an easy way to save money and avoid high-maintenance wash requirements.
Our favorites have a fiber content that mimics the loft of down and feathers.
It earned high marks during our lab and in our at-home tests.
The Buffy Breeze isn’t super fluffy nor blanket thin. It offers the perfect in-between.PHOTO: The Spruce
We’re huge fans of its soft and pillowy eucalyptus alternative material.
It has breathable yet warming properties and uniform, durable construction.
This down alternative comforter has Goldilock’s touch of being just right.
The Buffy Breeze isn’t super fluffy nor blanket thin. It offers the perfect in-between.PHOTO: The Spruce
It’s what we would call an enjoyable fabric embrace.
To save money, we’ve actually machine-washed the comforter a few times.
And it’s safe to say it remained intact with no loose threads or seams.
Plus, we’re huge fans of the buttery-smooth shell and substantial fill.
But it also features standout qualities of its own.
We found the lightweight version comfortable for both neutral and hot sleepers and great for year-round use.
Still, there are plenty of reasons to like this popular comforter.
Its outer shell is made with 100 percent cotton percale that’s extremely smooth and cool against the skin.
Along with its temperature regulation, we love the Riley comforter’s quality construction.
The fill is spread evenly with no empty spaces.
We found the material exceptionally breathable and luxuriously soft.
Plus, it has hypoallergenic and antibacterial properties, so no allergens here.
Still, it’s also plenty warm and cozy.
And if you prefer a little more weight, upgrade to the"extra" fill level.
Though it’s heavy, the shell feels breathable, and we had no issues with overheating.
But the extra weight does make it slightly harder to maneuver.
Overall, even after six months, we’re happy with the general performance of this comforter.
We also love that the fill hasn’t shifted and has stayed fluffy throughout the testing period.
If temperatures get extremely cold, you may have to supplement the comforter with an additional blanket.
But most nights, the HydroCool Duvet Insert kept us at a comfortable temp all night long.
Upon first inspection, we were impressed with how luxuriously soft the material felt.
Plus, the comforter was easy to maneuver and move around since it wasn’t too heavy.
This down alternative comforter also has a breathable cotton shell with a 300 thread count to ensure adequate airflow.
The fill is 60 percent recycled polyester sourced from plastic bottles and 40 percent HydroCool performance polyester.
PHOTO: The Spruce
It’s filled withPrimaLoft microfiber, a hypoallergenic material that boasts thermal qualities and down-like loftiness.
Youve likely seen PrimaLoft in winter jackets, pillows, and even footwear.
As for the shell, you’re looking at100 percent organic cotton, which feels soft and smooth.
PHOTO: The Spruce
Thanks to the baffle-box construction, the comforter is extra lofty and airy.
We also appreciate that there are useful corner tabs to keep it in place within a duvet cover.
Although it needs the occasional fluffing, we think it still looks and feels new.
In our most recent round of testing, we purchased 28 of the most popular comforters on the market.
First, we evaluated quality by inspecting each comforter upon arrival.
We also assessed the texture of the shell material and looked at the manufacturer’s thread count and weave.
Additionally, we observed how soft each felt when lying underneath.
We laid in each comforter for five minutes and considered the airflow the comforter allowed and any temperature-regulating abilities.
We followed the care instructions for comforters that could be machine-washed.
This allows us to monitor the same qualities we looked for in the lab in a home setting.
However, synthetic materials are often more affordable.
A higher thread count can mean a denser surface.
PHOTO: The Spruce
Down alternative comforters also happen to be a great option for people with allergies.
Down alternative comforters avoid this risk altogether.
The construction of a comforter can impact its overall loft and how well its filling stays in place.
PHOTO: The Spruce
There are some exceptions, however, that fall outside of these two construction approaches.
Loft (or loftiness), meanwhile, refers to the fluffiness of the comforter.
This is because the baffle box does not compress the filling like a sewn-through stitch.
One of our loftiest options isBrooklinen’s Down Alternative Duvet Comforter(our best lightweight).
Why Trust The Spruce?
This article was written byBianca Pineda, a writer specializing in bedding at The Spruce.
Pineda has tested a few comforters, too, including the Buffy Breeze Comforter.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Dera Burreson
PHOTO: The Spruce
We spilled coffee spills on the comforters to test how easy it was to spot clean.The Spruce / Dera Burreson
A Tide Pen helped us evaluate how easy the comforter was to clean.The Spruce
