I tested winter duvets – Primark’s was the warmest and ridiculously cheap… you won’t need the heating on
AS temperatures plummet and parts of the UK are hit by snow, now is the perfect time to invest in a cosy winter duvet.
Not only will a good one keep you snug, they can also save you cash as you won’t have to turn up the heating at night time.
Traditionally a duvet stuffed with feather or down was thought to be the best defence against plummeting temperatures.
But now many man-made materials do the same job, and are also more lightweight and breathable.
A winter duvet should be between 10.5 and 15 tog, but this is largely a personal choice and prices can vary from around £14 to hundreds of pounds.
But which is best value for money? We asked Lynsey Hope, 42, from West Malling, Kent, to try out some best-sellers. Here, she shares her verdict…
Primark Home 13.5 Tog Super Soft Duvet
£14 king size, £9 double, primark.com, Tog: 13.5
Lynsey says: “Made from 100 per cent polyester, I was really impressed with this Primark duvet.
“When I first got it out of the packaging, I thought it was a bit flimsy, but I put it on the bed anyway hoping for the best.
“Within a few minutes, I was lovely and snug.
“It was very soft, squishy and thick without being too heavy, allowing you to move freely at night.
“You can wash it at 40 degrees too. An incredible, budget choice.”
RATING: 5/5
Dunelm Supersoft Autumn/Winter Duvet
£14 single, £18 double, £22 king size, dunelm.com, Tog: 13.5
Lynsey says: “There’s a lot to love about this bargain duvet. It’s surprisingly lightweight for its 13.5 tog rating and feels very soft.
“It feels expensive so it’s a real bargain at just £18 for a double.
“Top reasons to buy is that despite its low price, it kept me incredibly warm at night.
“It feels like a much pricier brand and having seen this, it’s not really worth spending much more.”
RATING: 4/5
Tesco Home Soft Touch Duvet
£13.50 double, single £10.50, tesco.com, Tog: 10.5
Lynsey says: “Lovely soft duvet for the price, especially when you consider this was the cheapest duvet in our test.
“But I’m not sure the 10.5 tog is warm enough for current conditions.
“If you get hot at night though, you might like this lighter option. It’s pretty cosy for the price.
“Not sure how durable it will be – only time will tell.”
RATING: 3/5
MyAIMS Duck Feather and Down Duvet Quilt
£34.45, single, £49.92 double, amazon.co.uk, Tog: 13.5
Lynsey says: “Made of 85 per cent feathers and 15 per cent duck down, this duvet will keep you incredibly warm, but it is quite heavy and wasn’t the most comfortable at night.
“It is suitable for allergy sufferers, but within a day or two it was shedding quite a lot of feathers, so I’m not convinced it would last.
“Note that as it’s a natural product, it does have a bit of an odour and you have it air it for 48-72 hours before use.”
RATING: 2/5
M&S Home Supremely Washable Duvet
£29.50, single, £37.50 double, £42.50 marksandspencer.com, Tog: 10.5
Lynsey says: “Soft to the touch and evenly filled, this is a lovely quality duvet from M&S.
“It costs a little more than the budget ones but I suspect it will wash well time and again.
“It was lightweight compared to many, but you’d probably use it on your bed for longer each year.
“There is a thicker 13.5 tog option if you prefer, too.”
RATING: 3/5
Habitat Supersoft Washable 15 Tog Duvet,
£30 double, £25 single, argos.co.uk, Tog: 15
Lynsey says: “Some people spend hundreds of pounds on duvets, but why when you can pick this up for £30?
“I found it to be very warm without being too heavy. I thought it was very good quality for the price.
“If you want warmth and often wake up with cold toes at night, this 15 tog option could be the one for you. Very, very toasty.”
RATING: 4/5
HomeScapes Duck Feather and Down Duvet
£49.99 single, £64.99 double, £74.99 king, homescapesonline.com,Tog: 13.5
Lynsey says: “On Trustpilot, this has over 140 five star reviews.
“I found it to be very heavy, as if I was under sheets and blankets rather than a duvet, and it was very ‘crunchy’ at night.
“It did look lovely when shaken up on the bed and it was light and easy to handle, but at night time, it’s not for me.”
RATING: 3/5
The Fine Bedding Company Spundown Duvet
£65 double, £55 single, £80 king, finebedding.co.uk, Tog: 13.5
Lynsey says: “Made with 100 per cent microfibre, this will keep you as warm as any feather duvet.
“It’s very thick and warm, even though the tog rating is lower than others in our test.
“It’s washable, but you’d need a big 10kg machine otherwise it won’t fit. Fast drying too.
“The only downside is the price – you could buy three of the Dunelm duvets for less than this.”
RATING: 4/5