Best winter duvets to keep you warm in the cold months

The colder months are right around the corner and it is officially time to get snuggly, so that means finding the best winter duvet to take you right through to spring/summer. Even though some of the best duvets provide all-year-round comfort, some experts say switching between a summer duvet and a winter one is the best option if you really feel the cold in winter and the heat in summer.

You’ll know when to swap to a summer duvet by simply looking at the weather outside. We usually experience our first spell of cold weather at the start of September, so that’s usually a good time to start thinking about switching to a winter one. As a general rule, especially in the UK, having a winter duvet during the autumn to spring is the best option for keeping warm at nighttime.

Best winter duvets at a glance:

• Best overall winter duvet: Silentnight Deep Sleep 15 Tog Duvet - View on Dreams
• Best eco-friendly/vegan winter duvet: Duvet Hog Vegan and Eco-Friendly Duvet - View on Duvethog
• Best value winter duvet: John Lewis Synthetic Soft Touch Washable Duvet, 13.5 Tog - View on John Lewis

In our round-up, we've handpicked a wide range of the best winter duvets to choose from and have answered some burning questions that might influence your decision. From thicker down and feather duvets to anti-allergy duvets that help asthma, eczema or rhinitis sufferers. We've covered all bases.

Best winter duvets

Best winter duvets FAQs

What is a tog rating?

You've seen the word tog everywhere when duvet shopping, but what does it even mean? Tog is the measurement of warmth retention in a duvet that also measures the material's effectiveness to trap warm air. Duvets can range in tog from 1 to 15, and the higher the tog, the warmer your duvet will be.

To ensure you've got the coolest duvet for the job, you'll want to pick one with a low tog with a rating of 4.5 or less.

According to Dreams, the most common duvet tog rating is 10.5, so if you're a hot sleeper, struggle in the warmer seasons or get night sweats, your usual duvet might not be best for you or for all year around.

For more know-how on duvet shopping, check out our duvet buyer's guide.

What is the best tog rating for winter duvets?

If your house gets very cold in the winter, it may be a good idea for you to invest in a 12 to 13.5 tog duvet. They are cosy and will keep you warm for freezing winter nights.

How often should you wash your duvet?

Don't worry, we're all probably a little guilty for not washing our duvets as much as we should do. Washing your duvet is an important part of keeping your bed hygienic and free from dust mites. House dust mites feed on dead skin that has been partially broken down by mould, and both the skin itself and the dust mites that find it so tasty can quickly build up in unwashed beds and bedding.

If you can wash your duvet or quilt in your own washing machine, wash it on a gentle cycle using a non-bio detergent. After washing, make sure to completely air and dry your duvet or quilt before use. Alternatively, you could always take it to a laundrette or laundry service to wash if your washing machine is too small at home.

It is recommended that you should wash your duvet every few months or at least twice a year. Winter duvets tend to be thicker than summer, so you may have to go to a launderette if you have a smaller washing machine.

Hannah Mellin is a Homes & Garden Product Writer for Yours. When she's not writing, researching or testing products, she's renovating her Victorian terrace and chilling in the garden with her sausage dog Waffle, three cats and a tortoise called Bobby.