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A duvet cover not only protects your comforter, it also adds a design element to your bedscape. Even if you’re conservative in your choice of bed sheets — crisp, white percale sheets, for example — a duvet cover gives you a chance to experiment with color, texture, pattern, and, if you’re after a very specific feel, fabrication. To help you find the best duvet covers no matter your aesthetic or material preference, I tested a bunch of options at home myself: I got cozy and slept under duvets of all kinds. I also consulted dozens of interior designers who think about bedding for a living, plus other folks we trust, including Strategist staffers, about their favorites. The resulting recommendations encompass luxurious hotel-style duvet covers, brightly patterned statement pieces, and plenty of linen options, as well as heftier styles made from velvet, brocade, and waffle weave that are great for burrowing under in cooler weather. I’m also keeping price in mind, and, perhaps more crucially, how soft the duvet cover is, based on my years of handling a slew of materials including cotton, linen, and naturally derived fibers like bamboo. The prices shown are for queen-size duvet covers unless otherwise noted.
What we’re looking for
Material
Like sheets, duvet covers come in a range of fabrics. But the most common material is cotton (whether in a percale or sateen weave) or linen. That doesn’t mean, however, that your bedding has to be made up of all one fabric. As Lee Mayer, CEO of online interior-design service Havenly, told us when we spoke to her about how to create tonal bedding, putting together an appealing bedscape is “all about layering and texture.” Even if your sheets are a crisp percale, your duvet cover doesn’t have to be. In fact, adding a rumpled linen duvet cover or a shiny velvet one can provide contrast and a little more texture.
Still, some fabrics are heftier than others, and depending on the season, you may want to change out your duvet covers a couple of times a year. A cotton percale cover will feel — and look — lighter than a velvet one, for example. Linen, on the other hand, varies in weight, and can work in both warm and cool weather. I’ve also included thread count, where applicable, which is the number of threads per square inch of fabric. Generally speaking, the higher the thread count the nicer the sheet in terms of feel, durability, and smoothness, but it’s not the only indicator of quality.
Style
As mentioned above, a duvet cover can be your chance to add a bit of color, texture, and visual interest to your bed. Even if you prefer solid sheets, you may want to play around with a striped duvet, or one in a subtle floral pattern, or something in a plush velvet.
Best duvet cover overall
Material: Long-staple cotton percale, 270 thread count, Lightweight | Style: 10 colors
A classic cotton duvet cover goes a long way in creating a pleasing, go-with-everything bedscape, especially in breathable percale, one of my favorite materials to sleep in. This one from Brooklinen, maker of some of the Strategist’s favorite bedding — including (affordable) linen and sateen sheets — is made from 270-thread-count long-staple cotton and feels like all the best percale I’ve tried. It’s smooth, lightweight, and breathable, and has a delicious crispiness that you can almost hear. I got it in warm gray, which has lovely pale pink undertones without being too feminine, but it comes in nine other equally appealing colors and patterns, including, of course, white, which interior designer Ghislaine Viñas loves. “We use a lot of white bedding only, so this is a great, easy, and comfy staple we suggest to clients,” she says. Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang also owns this duvet cover, and reports that her daughter has been using it for over four years. “The percale is smooth and soft,” she says, and “feels cool and never clammy.” (Percale is also known to be one of the best weaves for hot sleepers.) Buttons close the bottom of the duvet cover, and there are interior corner ties to keep the duvet insert in place. It’s also a great value at under $160, making it my top choice.
Best percale duvet cover
Material: Long-staple Egyptian cotton percale, Lightweight | Style: 9 colors
If you’re committed to percale for its crisp and cool feel, Strategist senior editor Simone Kitchens recommends Parachute’s percale duvet cover, which she says was “cool to the touch right out of the box, like it had already been washed a hundred times, but still felt crisp.” After sleeping with a linen duvet for five years, Kitchens says the long-staple Egyptian cotton cover was “very light and very soft” in comparison and also felt “airy and responsive to my very high-loft down comforter.” It’s made in Portugal out of Oeko-Tex-certified long-staple Egyptian cotton that Kitchens describes as “quiet”: “Linen and certain cottons, no matter how soft they feel, can still create a rustling sound when you touch them. This duvet’s light weight lets you slip in without making a lot of noise.” Kitchens got it in Haze, which she describes as a “dusty, mauvy lavender that feels calming without looking especially feminine,” but it’s also available in eight other colors. Another detail she appreciates is a subtle stitched edge detail, which she says “doesn’t look overly traditional but is a nice touch when you notice it.”
Best hotel-style duvet cover
Material: Cotton percale, Lightweight | Style: Border pattern, five colors
Italian heritage brand Frette is synonymous with luxe bedding, with its sheets outfitting some of the world’s most famous hotels, including the Ritz-Carlton, St. Regis, and the Mandarin Oriental. Besides lending an air of elegance to your bed, Frette linens are famously comfortable. “The fabric is of the highest quality: durable yet soft as silk to the touch, which is important because with a duvet cover, the breathability of the fabric has a direct effect on how restful your sleep will be,” says architect and interior designer Campion Platt of Campion Platt Interiors. But Frette bedding can be expensive, which is why we were thrilled to learn about its robust sale section that sells duvet covers for 50 percent off, including this one that looks very similar to the brand’s classic hotel-style duvet cover. It’s made from percale and is embellished with one subtle line of satin-stitch embroidery (as opposed two on the classic style).
[Editor’s note: In previous versions of this story, we included a duvet cover from the brand’s diffusion line, Frette at Home, which is now discontinued. This on-sale duvet cover is similar to one from that line and is the same price.]
Best (less expensive) hotel-style duvet cover
Material: Long-staple cotton percale, 500 thread count, Lightweight | Style: Four colors
You can also achieve that hotel feel for less with this Snowe duvet cover I’ve had for five years, and used it as my only duvet cover for most of that time. It has held up beautifully — it’s still as clean, smooth, and crisp as day one. I have it in slate blue, a color that I think works like a neutral, and I love the way it looks on our bed, both during cooler and warmer months. It also has a thread count of 500 (the highest thread count of any duvet cover on this list, if that matters to you), and a subtle embroidered border that makes it look much more high-end than it is. Other touches I appreciate are the rubberized buttons on the bottom edge that keep the comforter securely within and the whole thing looking polished.
Best sateen duvet cover
Material: Cotton sateen, 480 thread count, Lightweight | Style: 13 colors
For something slightly cozier, consider a duvet cover made from cotton sateen, which has a smoother, silkier hand feel than percale thanks to its looser, three-over-one weave. Brooklinen’s Luxe sateen duvet cover is just as soft as the brand’s Luxe sheets — our top choice for sateen bedding — and has the same thread count of 480. Strategist writer Emma Wartzman calls herself “a finicky sleeper who can run a bit hot but also likes to be super-cozy and under multiple layers, especially when I first get into bed.” She doesn’t use a top sheet, which means the duvet layer is directly on her body, so she prefers ones that are on the cooler side. She says this Brooklinen cover is “a noticeably good combination of crisp and soft. It strikes a good balance of not being too heavy but still soft to the touch. I noticed it got even softer after a couple of washes, so I’m excited to see how it wears in even more over time.”
Best striped duvet cover
Material: Cotton, Lightweight | Style: Striped, four colors
A plain white (or other solid color) bed isn’t for everyone, so if you’re looking for something more festive, consider this thick-striped duvet cover from Hay that’s a Strategist-reader favorite. Hilary Reid, Strategist senior editor and stripe chronicler owns it in light blue. While cabana stripes are inherently bolder due to their thicker width, Reid says that “for a bedspread, I prefer them to be a bit subdued,” like they are on this style. She likes that the duvet cover’s white stripes aren’t pure white — “more like a very light, almost-blue-sage green” — and that the blue is a “lovely shade of periwinkle, which looks equally elegant and subdued as it does beachy.” Intrigued by Reid’s description, I tested this duvet cover in warm yellow, and I love how cheerful the broad, sun-bleached yellow stripes are without overtaking the bedroom, especially in the winter. It’s made from a smooth and cool cotton that feels like percale, even though the product description doesn’t specify, and it comes with ties at the bottom, which adds to its casual, effortless feel. One thing I must point out: It does not come with interior corner ties, which means you’ll have to do a bit more adjusting, but I remedied that problem by using hair elastics to secure the duvet to the cover from the inside. (With that said, Reid notes that her duvet pretty much stays in place without ties.)
Best floral patterned sateen duvet cover
Material: Cotton sateen, 350 thread count, Lightweight | Style: 18 patterns
While I usually go for plain bedding, I couldn’t help myself when I saw the cheerful patterns from Houston-based Biscuit Home. I particularly love the “Dorothy Blue” print of blooms accented with red pistils when I want something super soft and lively, and topping off my bed with the matching duvet cover always feels indulgent — and brightens up the entire room. (Biscuit’s 18 designs skew preppy and include polka dots, lilacs, and shells.) Although I normally prefer percale, this duvet cover is made from the nicest, most lived-in feeling sateen that’s incredibly cozy and inviting, and has only gotten more so with each wash (I’ve had it for exactly one year).
Best geometric patterned sateen duvet cover
Material: Cotton sateen, 300 thread count, Lightweight | Style: Hourglass pattern
For a bolder pop of color, check out Dusen Dusen’s new collection of sateen bedding, which includes this duvet cover patterned with geometric hourglass shapes that New York deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff recommends. She likes its graphic pattern because it makes the duvet cover look more like a quilt, adding that it’s very soft, too. While it’s made of sateen, it’s not too shiny, but Swerdloff reports that it’s on the warmer side because of its weave, making it better for cooler months.
Best linen duvet cover
Material: European flax linen, Lightweight | Style: 9 colors
Linen sheets have become so popular over the past five years that it’s not surprising that duvet covers made of the more “lived-in” material have also emerged as a popular choice. I think a linen duvet cover is a great introduction to linen bedding, and my top choice is from Parachute, whose linen sheets are some of our favorites. I’ve been using this cover in coal for nine months and found it to be frankly softer and more comfortable than the brand’s linen sheets. I also love the dark color, which I’d never incorporated into my bed before, and think it works quite nicely in a moody, rumpled way, in both warmer and cooler seasons. (While the coal is no longer available, the cover comes in other saturated shades like dusk, moss, and a dusty pink.) Plus, the European flax only gets softer and more enticing over time. If you need more convincing, Parachute’s linen duvet cover also comes highly recommended by three of our experts (plus Strategist writer Dominique Pariso): interior designer Madison Shoemaker, Vanessa Alexander of Alexander Design, and designer Tina Rich, who always chooses linen for its “laid-back look.” And for those who sleep hot, linen is a great option if you’re looking for something breathable. As Pariso notes, this a “really nice beginner linen” for those looking to try linen bedding without going all in on a full set of sheets.
Best (less expensive) linen duvet cover
Material: Washed linen, Lightweight | Style: 15 colors
Linen is more expensive than cotton, so if you’re looking for something more affordable than the Parachute pick above, Emmanuelle Bernard, the founder of Hoem, recommends this linen duvet cover as a relatively budget-friendly option. One thing she likes about it is that it comes in a range of colors. (She particularly likes the baby-pink shade and suggests pairing it with contrasting pillows to achieve a Scandinavian look.) “Linen duvet covers in pastel hues are my favorite because they give a boho sort of look to my bedroom,” says Bernard, who notes that this model is stonewashed, which gives it “a vintage look, makes it very comfortable,” and even makes it more natural-looking because it “comes with some wrinkles.”
Softest linen duvet cover
Material: French and Belgian flax linen, midweight | Style: 12 colors
For the linen duvet cover with the softest hand feel, you’ll want to check out Morrow’s Heirloom Linen duvet cover, which is made with prewashed French and Belgian flax. “Of all the linen duvets I’ve slept on, Morrow’s are the softest to me by far,” says Kitchens. And while she has noticed that certain linen companies use a hardier, sometimes rougher fabric for the cover than its sheets, Morrow does not.
Courtney Laine, owner of Victorian bed and breakfast Batterby House and Batterby Cottage in Hudson, New York, settled on Morrow after comparing four different brands of duvet covers. (Laine pairs them with Pottery Barn Sleepsmart duvets, our pick for the best temperature-regulating comforter, and guests regularly rave about their bedding experience at the inn.) “We ultimately felt that Morrow provided the best combination of qualities: great-looking, soft, breathable linen,” she told us. “And they’re durable enough to endure the regular laundering that comes with running a boutique hotel.” In addition to just how nice they feel, Kitchens also appreciates Morrow’s rich color options. “I’ve spent a lot of time studying various linen companies’ color swatches — I’m still bored by the all-white bed — and I love Morrow’s range,” she says. “There’s something slightly elevated about it.” Kitchens owns the shade “willow,” a mossy green-brown, and pairs it with the brand’s (Strategist-approved) matte sateen sheets in terracotta. Another detail that Kitchens points out is the duvet’s zip closure, which she says “makes for a neater-looking bed.”
Best (less expensive) softest linen duvet cover
Material: European flax, midweight | Style: 21 colors
Like Morrow’s, this duvet cover from Quince is made from prewashed European flax and has an out-of-the-box softness that’s so comforting — and for less than half the price. As soon as I put it on my bed, I knew that I would have trouble getting up in the morning, because it felt so nice to the touch. (While it was softer than the Parachute straightaway, they’re now about the same in terms of handfeel.) I love its lived-in, casual vibe that never looks sloppy and only gets softer over time. I got it in a soothing “mist” but it also comes in 20 other subdued tones like sage, dusty mauve, and “desert sunset.”
Most durable linen duvet cover
Material: Organic French flax linen, Midweight | Style: Two colors
Coyuchi is another linens-maker we’ve written about before: The brand produces some of our favorite towels and jersey and linen sheets, so I wasn’t surprised to hear that Strategist senior editor Winnie Yang and Ashley Goldman, the founder of the Gold Hive, are fans of its organic linen duvet cover. While pricey, “all of their products meet strict standards,” says Goldman. Yang, who switched to this duvet cover after using another linen one from a competitor about a year and a half ago, agrees. “It’s really well made, probably the nicest duvet cover we’ve ever owned,” she says. “The details and finishing are really great. I like how the buttons are placed to sit hidden inside.” Plus, it’s durable: “It gets a lot of wear because both the cat and dog sleep on our bed.” Yang says it’s “much thicker than any other linen bedding item I’ve ever owned” but “still airy and breathable,” making it great for year-round use. “It basically only leaves our bed to get washed, then goes right back on,” she adds.
Best waffle duvet cover
Material: Waffle weave cotton, Midweight | Style: Four colors
A woven duvet cover, like this one, can add a bit more visual interest to your bed without the statement-making look of a louder pattern. Shoemaker says this style is “subtle and luxurious” thanks to its 100 percent waffle-weave cotton material, which gives it a natural woven look that she calls cozy, comfortable, and sophisticated. New York Magazine deputy editor Alexis Swerdloff owns this cover and loves its waffle-y look and the fact that it’s on the thicker side, making it ideal for colder months. Available in five colors including white, gray, and midnight blue, the duvet cover is also reversible — its other side has a smoother cotton-percale weave.
Best velvet duvet cover
Material: Viscose-blended velvet, Midweight | Style: Three colors
A velvet duvet cover is another way to add texture to your bed, and this one — which comes recommended by Decorilla design expert Devin Shaffer — is made of a crushed velvet that he likes for its “avant garde” feel. Made from a viscose blend with cotton backing, the finish, he explains, makes the duvet cover a bit more luxe and glamorous. It’s available in three colors including petal, sand, and gray.
Best microfiber duvet cover
Material: Microfiber, Lightweight | Style: 16 colors
For a duvet cover that’s affordable, super-soft, and a somewhat playful, consider this one that Shaffer calls his “go-to bedding for the past few years.” Made with a soft microfiber, it uses oversize ties for fastening — Shaffer calls them no-fuss — that give the duvet cover a more casual, bohemian feel. He prefers the khaki color shown, which he says “creates a backdrop for a variety of throws and pillows,” but it also comes in 14 other colors. The cover comes with two matching pillowcases. For $40, it’s a great value.
Best bamboo lyocell duvet cover
Material: Bamboo lyocell, Lightweight | Style: 11 colors
Unlike the cotton or linen duvet covers on this list, this one from Ettitude is made from organic bamboo lyocell fabric, which has natural thermoregulating (a.k.a. cooling) abilities, making it a great option for folks who sleep hot. It is made of a sateen weave, and in testing it, I noticed that it was the softest, slinkiest, and silkiest version of that weave I’ve ever felt because of its lyocell material. The fabric is much more pliable than cotton percale and sateen. The Ettitude duvet cover also is also a favorite of Jess Blumberg of Dale Blumberg Interiors: “It’s modern, minimal, and super-soft,” she says of the silky-smooth finish. The duvet cover is available in 11 shades like taro and saffron. “And it doesn’t hurt that it’s sustainable, hypoallergenic, and relatively affordable, too,” Blumberg adds.
Some more duvet covers we’ve written about
Our experts
• Leah Alexander, interior designer
• Vanessa Alexander, Alexander Design
• Emmanuelle Bernard, founder of Hoem
• Jess Blumberg, Dale Blumberg Interiors
• Tavia Forbes, Forbes+Masters
• Leanne Ford, interior designer
• Elizabeth Gill, interior designer
• Ashley Goldman, The Gold Hive
• Kitty Guo, Strategist writer
• Simone Kitchens, Strategist senior editor
• Courtney Laine, owner of Batterby House
• Monet Masters, Forbes+Masters
• Dominique Pariso, Strategist writer
• Campion Platt, Campion Platt Interiors
• Hilary Reid, Strategist senior editor
• Tina Rich, interior designer
• Devin Shaffer, Decorilla design expert
• Madison Shoemaker, interior designer
• Alexis Swerdloff, New York Magazine deputy editor
• Ghislaine Viñas, interior designer
• Emma Wartzman, Strategist writer
• Winnie Yang, Strategist senior editor
Additional reporting by Karen Iorio Adelson, Chloe Anello, Alexandra Ilyashov, and Lauren Levy.
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