The winter season brings afternoons playing in the snow and evenings snuggled up in a warm blanket. There’s nothing better than crawling into bed under a nice, warm duvet. But how do you know if you’re buying the right one?
Buying Down duvets, especially online, can seem overwhelming. There are numbers on the packaging and words like fill power, loft, and fill weight. Fortunately, we’ve created an easy-to-use guide on how to buy the best Down duvet, including explanations on fill power, fill weight, and more.
What is Down Fill Power?
The most common number, or rating, you’ll see on Down duvet packaging is Down fill power. Fill power is an indication of the quality and thickness of the Down inside the duvet and applies to Down-filled pillows also. This rating describes the number of cubic inches that one ounce of down will fill. A general rule of thumb is: the higher the fill power, the thicker the duvet. This is especially important to note, because it also indicates the warmth of your duvet.
Choosing the right Down fill power depends on your sleep style. Do you prefer to be warmer or cooler while sleeping? When buying your Down duvet, use this guide to choose the right one for your sleep needs:
|
Fill Power |
Thickness |
Warmth |
|
400 or below |
Lightweight |
Cool |
|
400 to 600 |
Medium |
All Year |
|
600 to 800 |
Heavy |
Warm |
|
800 and above |
Heaviest |
Warmest |
Another way to describe the Down fill power rating is the duvet’s fluffiness. While this isn’t the technical term, and you won’t see it written on the packaging, it’s a good starting point for duvet or comforter shopping. If you want a big, fluffy, luxurious Down duvet, make sure you look for a high fill power.
What is Down Loft?
When shopping for duvets and comforters, you’ll notice the word loft used quite often. You may also notice that you won’t see the words loft and fill power rating on the same package. Why is that? The simple answer is that loft and fill power rating mean the same thing.
Loft can be used interchangeably with the term fill power rating. So, don’t let that confuse you when you’re shopping for Down duvets.
What is Down Fill Weight?
Another important rating to check when buying your duvet is Down fill weight. Down fill weight refers to the amount of Down used in the construction of the duvet. This weight is usually measured in ounces.
Along with Down fill power, the fill weight will indicate the quality of your duvet. Higher fill weight signifies a heavier duvet. However, make sure that your duvet has both a high fill power and a high fill weight. If you purchase a Down duvet with a low fill power and high fill weight, the duvet may have poor insulation and won’t keep you warm, even though it may feel heavy in weight.
For example, our Luxury Premium Weight White Goose Down Comforter (Queen) has a fill power of 675+ and a Down fill weight of 30 ounces. These ratings mean this comforter is heavy, fluffy, and will keep you nice and warm through the winter months.
Down fill weight and fill power are equally important in choosing the right duvet. Make sure you check both of these ratings before making your final decision.
Down and Down-Alternative Duvets and Comforters by Westex
At Westex, we offer a variety of high-quality Down and Down-Alternative duvets. Our Down products are crafted in Canada and certified by the Down Association of Canada. All of our Down products carry the DOWNMARK label, signifying the quality of the materials we use.
You can find more of our Down and Down-Alternative products on Amazon and participating online retailers.
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