How to Choose a Duvet
Entity: how to choose a duvet
In short
Choose a duvet by TOG for warmth, fill type for loft and care, and size to match the mattress plan. UK households often use about 4.5 TOG for summer, 10.5 TOG mid-range and 13.5+ TOG for cold rooms. Down uses fill power; synthetics use fibre shape. Allergies and wash routines often decide natural versus hollowfibre more than warmth alone.
How it works
Three decisions (in order)
1. Warmth — TOG
TOG measures insulation of the finished duvet. Full science: duvets fill and TOG.
Rough UK bands:
| TOG (approx.) | Often used for |
|---|---|
| ~4.5 | Warm rooms / summer |
| ~9–10.5 | Many year-round homes |
| ~13.5+ | Cold rooms / winter |
Hot sleepers: start with room and TOG — see hot sleeper setup.
2. Fill — care and loft
| Fill | Strength | Watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Down / feather | Loft; fill power | Care labels; some allergy preferences |
| Hollowfibre / synthetic | Often easier home wash | May loft differently over years |
| Wool | Moisture buffering for some people | Check wash rules |
Compare: down vs hollowfibre and wool vs synthetic.
3. Size — match the mattress
Use UK mattress sizes in centimetres. A “King” duvet for the wrong market will not drape the same.
Allergy and laundry
If you need frequent hot washes, choose fills and covers the label allows — see washing bedding and the allergy-aware path.
Common mistakes
- Using winter TOG year-round, then blaming the mattress for heat
- Mixing EU duvet sizes with UK mattress names
- Buying weighted blankets expecting TOG warmth (weighted blankets are pressure tools)
Related BedGuide entries
Frequently asked questions
- What TOG duvet do I need?
- Rough UK framing: ~4.5 TOG for warm rooms or summer, ~10.5 TOG for many year-round uses, ~13.5+ TOG for cold rooms or winter. Personal preference and heating matter more than a single fixed number.
- What size duvet for a UK King mattress?
- Buy a duvet labelled for UK King, or confirm the duvet's width and length cover the 150 × 200 cm mattress with your preferred overhang. Names must match the mattress market you are buying for.
- Is a higher fill power always warmer?
- Fill power describes loft efficiency of down, not TOG by itself. A low-TOG high-fill-power duvet can still sleep light. Read TOG for warmth and fill power for loft quality.