Bamboo duvet vs. comforter: which one should you purchase?

January 9, 2023

Comforter Vs. Duvet: which should you choose?

When looking for new bedding, you have two options for what to use to keep you warm and comfortable at night: duvets and comforters. While these two are similar and act as the primary blanket for your bed, they have a few differences. But what are the differences between a duvet and a comforter? Hold tight—you’ll have to keep reading to find out.

Whether a comforter or duvet is right for you depends on your personal preferences. Usually, duvets come in two pieces, inserts and covers, while comforters are ready to use right out of the bag. When looking for your next bedding, you have to consider each option’s cost, durability, colors, maintenance, and comfort.

Both options can improve your comfort and help you sleep better, but what is the difference between a comforter and a duvet? Let’s discuss what they are, how they work, and their pros and cons.

What is a duvet?

A duvet is an”insert” that’s filled with soft materials and goes inside a duvet cover. Duvets come with two separate pieces: the insert and the cover. A duvet is meant to be used with a duvet cover, as they have a less finished appearance, and many inserts are plain white. They’re referred to as inserts because they’re inserted into the duvet cover, which acts as a sleeve with buttons, studs, zippers, or other closures to protect the insert. Duvet inserts are often made from the same fibers and materials as bamboo mattress protectors and comforters.

Duvet inserts are typically not machine washable and are simple in design because they’re not meant to be seen. Since the duvet insert goes inside the cover, it doesn’t need to be washed as often. However, duvet covers come in various styles, colors, and materials and are typically machine-washable for easy care.

Advantages of a bamboo duvet

There are several advantages of using a bamboo duvet cover vs. a comforter, including the following:

Easy to clean: Bamboo is an antimicrobial bedding, which means it can fight bacteria and stay clean for longer (but don’t get ahead of yourselves—it still needs to be washed every few weeks). Fortunately, duvet covers are easy to clean. While duvet inserts may have special care instructions, most duvet covers are machine washable. In addition, it’s much easier to clean a duvet cover than a comforter because they’re typically only a little bulkier in size than your regular sheets and can fit in most washing machines.
Style can be updated: With duvet covers, you can update your style as often as you like, changing the look and feel of your bed and bedroom. To change your style, all you have to do is put the duvet insert into a new cover and your room will have a new vibe.
Comfortable: Duvet covers are comfortable, especially when they’re made from a soft material like bamboo. Some of the most significant benefits of bamboo duvets are that they’re moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, and soft to keep you cool and comfortable all night long.

Drawbacks of a bamboo duvet

Since duvets often consist of two pieces— the insert and the cover— there are a few drawbacks to using them, including:

Difficult to assemble: Duvets can be difficult to assemble because you need to get the insert into the cover without causing bunching. While the process is similar to putting a pillow into a pillowcase, it’s much larger and may take some time to learn how to do it properly.
Can bunch together: If duvet inserts aren’t secured properly inside the covers, they can bunch up, causing you to have hot and cold spots on your bedding. And it can be uncomfortable to sleep with because it’s a less luxurious feel. Luckily, ettitude’s duvet covers and inserts include corner ties, so you never have to wrestle with your sheets in the middle of the night.

What is a comforter?

Comforters are single bedding pieces designed to be used as-is, meaning there’s no additional cover for them. They also have a finished appearance, unlike a duvet insert. Like duvets and duvet covers, comforters can be made of various materials, including down, down alternatives, cotton, bamboo, and so forth. Comforters come in many styles and are typically easier to use than duvets. However, caring for a comforter may be more difficult, depending on its size, loft, and special care instructions.

Advantages of a bamboo comforter

Bamboo comforters are fluffy, warm blankets for your bed that offer several benefits, including:

No assembly requirements: Bamboo comforters often don’t require assembly because they only consist of a single piece to be used as-is. Instead of trying to stuff a duvet insert into a cover, you can simply throw your comforter on the bed and it’ll be ready to go.
Even fill distribution: Bamboo comforters are typically quilted to allow for even fill distribution. When comparing a duvet vs. a comforter, comforters don’t require you to do any additional work for the even fill distribution because they consist of one piece.
Easy to layer: Comforters make it easy to layer your bed because you can use them right out of the bag. Additionally, since they’re often thinner than duvets, you can add blankets underneath or on top for a finished appearance.

Drawbacks of a bamboo comforter

While bamboo comforters are often more convenient to use than duvets, there are a few drawbacks, including:

Challenging to clean: Because comforters are single-piece bedding items, they’re often difficult to clean. The loftier your comforter, the more challenging it is to clean because it may not fit in a standard washing machine. Additionally, depending on the type of comforter you have, it may be dry clean only.
Can become flat: Over time, comforters can become flat because you can’t replace the fill. Unlike a duvet where you can just replace the insert, the entire comforter will have to be changed when the inside becomes flat.

Should you use a duvet or comforter?

Duvets and comforters can make your bed more comfortable and appear more decorated. However, there are a few things to consider when making the decision of whether a duvet vs. a comforter is right for you:

Cost: Both comforters and duvets come in a range of prices, but the more you’re willing to spend, generally the higher the quality of the fabrics used. However, because duvets come in two pieces, they may become more expensive if you purchase the insert and cover separately.
Durability: The durability of duvets and comforters depends largely on the materials used. Bamboo duvets and comforters are highly durable and can withstand regular wear and tear. However, duvets are typically considered more durable because you can replace the cover if damaged.
Colors: Bamboo duvets and comforters are available in a range of colors and styles. However, comforters are typically more expensive to replace when you want to change up the look of your bedding because you have to purchase an entirely new one. With a duvet, all you have to do is replace the cover and your bedroom will instantly have a new look.
Maintenance: Both comforters and duvets can be machine washable, depending on the manufacturer. However, the size of duvet covers typically makes them easier to clean than comforters. Duvets usually only take up a little more space in your washing machine than the rest of your bedding. Meanwhile, comforters may be too lofty to fit into your machine or require special care instructions.
Comfort: When comparing comforters vs. duvets, duvets are typically loftier and warmer than comforters, but the fill of your duvet insert dictates how heavy or fluffy it is. Comforters may not be as warm as duvets, but the fill varies, so you may need to switch out your bedding during the cold or warmer months.

Find high-quality bamboo duvets and comforters at ettitude

There are many differences between duvets and comforters and the right bedding for you ultimately depends on your personal preferences. But, regardless of the type of bedding that you choose, both duvets and comforters give you an additional layer of protection, warmth, and comfort and will help catch some well-deserved ZZZs.

Whether you’re looking for a duvet or comforter, ettitude has you covered. We offer bamboo sheets, comforters, and duvet covers made from organically grown bamboo that will keep you cool and comfortable all night long. Improve your sleep quality with bamboo duvet covers and comforters by browsing our collection, or give the gift of bamboo by shopping for our sustainable holiday gifts.