Do you know how to tell the difference between a duvet, comforter, and blanket? If you visit any store that sells beddings, you can get easily confused about its products. Despite similar purposes, these pieces of beddings differ in several aspects, and not many people can confidently tell which is which. Therefore, keep reading to learn what the differences are between comforter, duvet, and blanket!
Blankets are softest, duvets are warmest, and the comforters can be used year-round. The choice of bedding depends on your personal preferences, but also the climate of your town.
But, there is more to it, so let’s hop right to explaining!
The Differences between Duvet, Comforter and Blanket
In general, comforter and duvets are more alike, and the blanket is what many people prefer using to stay warm.
The primary differences are in look, materials, maintenance, and thermal characteristics.
Duvet and comforter can look the same at the first appearance. However, the first difference between these two pieces of bedding is the use of cover.
Duvet consists of an insert and a cover, while the comforter doesn’t require the use of a cover. In simple words, comforter and blankets are single pieces of beddings and ready to use straight from the box, while duvet consists of two pieces.
Let’s go briefly through each difference, and at the end of the list, you will hopefully be able to see the difference and pick the bedding for you.
Appearance
Duvets are commonly made only in white color, and because you use them with covers, they don’t get as dirty as comforters and blankets.
While duvets are commonly white, the duvet covers are available in a variety of colors and patterns. Therefore, you can mix and match a duvet and its cover to find the best possible combination. A duvet covers works exactly like the pillowcase – you place the insert inside the cover and remove it when you need to wash the cover.
Duvets can be thicker than comforters because they have more filling inside, and are seldom quilted.
On the other hand, comforters are rarely heavily stuffed, so they are thinner. Next, you can find comforters with various designs and patterns, but also in white. They often come with matching decorative pillows and can serve as decoration in your bedroom. Another thing – comforters usually have a quilted design, while duvets come in solid white.
Another difference between blanket, comforter, and duvet is layering. While duvets and comforters have two layers and a filling, a blanket is a single-layer fabric, soft to the touch and made from different materials.
You can also find blankets in different colors and patterns. Still, the comforters have the biggest range of colors and patterns, compared to the duvets and blankets.
Learn a simple trick that will simplify placing an insert into a cover:
Size
Beddings match the standard sizes of the bed. That is why you can find all three pieces in common sizes – Twin, Full, King, Queen, California king.
Sometimes, there are additional sizes, such as Twin XL. However, there are slight differences between manufacturers and the sizes of their beddings. For example, the difference between INC duvets, blankets, and comforters and those made by Charters club is two inches in length.
Also, blankets are available in smaller, throw size. It is a smaller size of the bedding, not intended for use in the bedroom. Rather, it is a blanket for car, for use in the living room, or camping. Some manufactures also create additional throw blankets in larger, XL sizes.
The common size of a throw blanket is 50 x 60 inches, with slight variations in size.
Filling
As I mentioned before, there is a filling between two layers of fabric in the case of duvets and comforters. The blankets don’t have a filling.
Duvets are filled with either natural or synthetic material, while comforters usually have synthetic ones, but can be filled with down.
You can find the duvets filled with a variety of materials, including wool, silk, and microfiber. The choice of filling is quite important because it affects the warmth and weight of the duvet.
Therefore, you have more options to get customized bedding, if you decide to get a duvet.
For example, the wool filling is more expensive, require more complex maintenance, but provides optimal warmth without the risk of overheating. Silk is also expensive, but duvets with silk filling are hypoallergenic.
However, the most common filling in duvets is down, specifically duck and goose down.
It has numerous benefits – simple maintenance, great thermal characteristics, mid-price range, etc. Down duvets are lightweight and breathable, but cheaper duvets may come with only 30% of down, with the rest being feathers.
Because of the down benefits, you can find comforters with this filling as well. However, sometimes down comforters can come thinner and you will have to get an extra blanket to keep you warm during cold nights.
Silk comforters are considered luxurious and aren’t choice number one for people because of the high price tag, complex maintenance, and because they don’t provide enough warmth.
Decorative comforter usually has a cotton filling. It can be moderately warm, it is easy to maintain, but the cotton doesn’t have great thermal insulation features such as wool or goose down.
Comforters are usually quilted, so the filling is evenly distributed across the comforter.
Maintenance
The maintenance of blankets, comforters, and duvets is different.
The bedding piece with the simplest maintenance is a duvet. All you have to do is take the duvet insert out of the cover and wash the cover. While your cover is drying, you can put the insert inside the other cover and use it again. If the cover is cotton made, you can wash it at any program and put it in the dryer. Cotton covers are safe for washing at high temperatures, which can eliminate bacteria.
On the other hand, you need to be more careful when it comes to comforters and blankets. Blankets are best cleaned when washed in the machine, while the best way to clean a comforter is to take it for dry cleaning.
You should wash the blanket at a low temperature, and avoid putting it in the hot dryer.
Before you start washing the comforter, it is essential to check the tags on the product. Some comforters are dry-cleaning only.
However, if your comforter is machine washing safe, the process is slightly similar to blanket maintenance.
If you plan to wash to comforter at home, you should use a delicate cycle and an additional rinsing cycle, and dry it at low temperature with a few tennis balls that will keep the comforter fluffed. Also, you will have to shake it off to revive the original fluffiness of the comforter.
Moreover, check the manufacturer’s tag for the proper choice of the detergent. Most comforters and blankets, unlike duvet cover, aren’t supposed to be washed with harsh chemicals and bleach.
Use only mild detergent.
Check how to re-fluff your comforter:
Ease of Use
Comforters and blankets come ready to use. It means that all you have to do is snuggle under and enjoy your sleep. A duvet needs a bit more effort because you have to put it in the cover, making sure that the borders of an insert are aligned with the cover.
Also, sometimes with an unquilted duvet, people may experience filling concentrating on several spots, which results in uneven filling distribution.
Coziness
Blankets are the coziest of all bedding pieces. They are usually made from soft and fluffy materials, such as mink, fleece, plush, alpaca, and wool, and provide a comfortable and warm effect.
Duvet covers are made from different fabrics as well, including cotton, Egyptian cotton, silk, sateen. Comforters’ fabric around the filling is usually cotton due to soft structure, absorbing, and breathability features.
Overall, if you want a soft and cozy effect, you can pick a mink blanket or comforter with microfiber outer material. Duvets are not as cozy as blankets, but they have better thermal and insulation properties.
Learn how to take care of blankets of different materials:
Thermal and Insulation Properties
Despite how cozy the mink or fleece blanket seems, duvets and comforters have better properties. It is because one single layer of fabric – blanket – can warm you up quickly, but two or three layers, as seen in duvets and comforters, are better in maintaining the warmth for longer.
Also, the filling in duvets gradually raises the temperature and doesn’t make the user sweat, such as a blanket.
The three-layer construction of a duvet or comforter is excellent in providing a pleasant climate with low humidity. The first layer of fabric that comes in contact with skin contains small, microscopic chambers able to transport the moisture further to the filling, which absorbs the moisture. A blanket, being a single layer of fabric, doesn’t come with these abilities.
Because a person doesn’t sweat under the duvet or comforter, the bedding climate is more comfortable, without the excess moisture. In simple words, the duvet and a comforter provide optimal warmth and humidity, without raising your body temperature.
Still, the blankets are very cozy and comfortable, but for resting and your well-being, you can choose a duvet or comforter.
The filling determines how warm and comfortable a duvet or comforter can be. For example, moderately filled comforters are suitable for year-round use, especially if you live in a place with a mild climate.
Heavily stuffed duvets with 100% goose down are the best in keeping you warm during the winter.
| Warmth range (starting from the warmest bedding)
TOG (Thermal overall grade) range |
||
| Duvet | Comforter | Blanket |
| 1.5 (Ultra-light) – 16.5 (Ultra warm) | 2.5 (Light) – 13.5 (Warm) | 2 (Light) – 13 (Warm) |
| Fill: down, polyester, silk, cotton | Fill: down, polyester, silk, cotton | Material: wool, flannel, sherpa, fleece |
Mites Development
Because blankets provide a more humid bed climate, they are more prone to the development of mites. However, if you maintain and wash your blanket properly, you can eliminate the risk of mites.
Comforters, more than duvets, are also prone to dust mites, especially those filled with synthetic fibers. You can find plenty of the beddings on the market with hypoallergenic tags, but the reality is that all beddings are prone to dust mites. Some fabrics, such as silk and goose down are better in fighting them, but the key to having dust mite-free beddings is frequent washing and the use of cotton covers.
That is why a goose down duvet might be a suitable option if you or your family member suffers from dust mite allergy.
Learn more about the benefits of a goose duvet:
Blankets, Duvets, Comforters Comparison
Hopefully, by now, you are ready to tell the difference between a duvet, comforter, and a blanket. But, how to pick the best one for you?
Before we move on to the most important advantages and disadvantages of blankets, duvets, and comforters, check the table for a simple comparison of the most important properties.
The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Blankets
Who doesn’t love a soft and warm blanket? However, please consider both pros and cons of this piece of bedding to get a whole picture.
Blanket Pros
- Soft
- Can be used during winter
- Available as electric blanket for extra warmth
- Can be compact and portable
- Made from lots of materials and available in different designs and colors
- Versatile
Blanket Cons
- Some blankets aren’t washing-machine safe
- You need extra bedding during the coldest nights
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Duvets
Duvets have been around for centuries, and modern duvets are still popular around the world. Overall, duvets have more pros than cons, but let’s name them all. If you live in a cold area, you might need a duvet!
Duvets Pros:
- Superb warmth
- Simple maintenance
- Provide an optimal sleeping atmosphere
- Available with different fillings
- Suitable for people with allergies
- Durable
Duvets Cons:
- Can be pricey
- Not suitable for year-round use
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Comforters
Finally, let’s have a look at comforters and list some of the reasons why they are so popular. Overall, comforters are a multi-purpose piece of bedding, but they can be improved in terms of maintenance.
Comforters Pros:
- Ready to use straight from the box
- Provide layered look on the bed
- Available in the set with decorative pillows
- Provide an optimal sleeping climate
- Available with different fillings and of different thickness
- Can be used year-round
- Available in different colors and patterns
Cons:
- Some comforters are dry-cleaning only
Frequently Asked Questions
Let’s break more confusing things down about comforters, duvets, and blankets. Keep in mind that some companies use these terms, especially duvet and comforter, interchangeably.
Conclusion
A duvet, a comforter, and a blanket are three separate pieces of beddings. They differ in structure, materials, design, and thermal insulation properties. While blankets are the coziest, duvets are simplest to maintain, and comforters are the most versatile.
What about you – how do you layer your beddings in the winter? Do you prefer the softness of a blanket or the optimal warmth of a duvet and comforter? Share your thoughts in the comments!
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