Duvets Compared: Down, Feathers, Synthetic, and Tencel

Short answer: Down duvets (90% down) offer the best combination of lightness, climate regulation, and lifespan. Goose down is the premium option with higher fill power. Feather duvets are cheaper but heavier and regulate climate less effectively. Primaloft Bio is the best synthetic alternative for allergy sufferers and vegans. Tencel (Lyocell) has the strongest cooling effect and is particularly suitable as a cover material. Microfiber is the cheapest option but offers the least climate regulation. The ideal material for you depends on your sleep type, budget, and maintenance effort.

Down, feathers, goose down, Primaloft, Tencel, microfiber — the duvet market offers a variety of filling materials that can seem overwhelming at first glance. Each material has its strengths. No single one is the best choice for every sleeper.

This guide is our most comprehensive material comparison. We produce duvets from all five types of fillings at our factory in Limburg — and we know the materials from daily processing, not just from data sheets. Here you will find an honest comparison: What can each material truly do, what are its limitations, and which duvet suits you?

By the end of this article, you will know which material suits your sleep type — and no longer have to rely on marketing promises.

Last updated: April 11, 2026

The Big Material Comparison: All Fillings at a Glance

Criterion	Down 90%	Goose Down	Feathers 60/40	Primaloft Bio	Tencel	Microfiber
Warmth	Excellent	Excellent	Good	Good	Moderate	Moderate
Cooling Effect	Very good	Very good	Moderate	Good	Excellent	Low
Moisture Regulation	Excellent	Excellent	Good	Moderate	Very good	Low
Weight (135×200, All-Season)	500–700 g	450–650 g	800–1,200 g	500–800 g	500–700 g	600–900 g
Washable at	40–60 °C	40–60 °C	40–60 °C	60 °C	40 °C	60 °C
Allergy Suitability	With NOMITE yes	With NOMITE yes	Conditional	Very good	Good	Good
Vegan	No	No	No	Yes	Yes	Yes
Lifespan	10–15 years	10–15 years	5–8 years	5–8 years	8–12 years	3–5 years
Price Range (All-Season)	€170–€300	€230–€450	€80–€150	€80–€130	€100–€200	€40–€90

Down Duvet: The All-Rounder

Down is the gold standard among duvet fillings — and for good reason. No other material offers a comparable combination of lightness, excellent climate regulation, and long lifespan.

What down can do:

• Thermoregulation: Down adapts to body temperature. It releases air when warm and insulates when cold. This is why down duvets work as both summer and winter duvets — in different fill weights.
• Moisture transport: Down absorbs up to 15% of its own weight in moisture and then releases it. This keeps the sleeping climate dry.
• Lightness: A summer down duvet weighs only 200–300 g for a 135×200 cm size. No other natural material is as light with the same warmth performance.

Pay attention to the down content: A duvet with 90% down is a true premium down duvet. One with 60% is an entry-level option. Anything below 60% is considered a feather duvet according to DIN EN 12934. Detailed buying advice can be found in our guides Down Duvet 135×200 Buying Guide and Recognizing Down Duvet Quality: 7 Features.

Goose Down Duvet: The Premium Segment

Goose down is larger and fluffier than duck down. That might sound like a small difference — but in practice, it's noticeable. Goose down has a higher fill power (typically 130–150 mm vs. 100–120 mm for duck down). This means: more warmth with less weight.

Goose down duvets are the first choice for people who want the best — in terms of lightness, loft, and durability. Fill power is measured according to DIN EN 12130 — our goose down reaches at least 130 mm. The investment pays off over an above-average lifespan of 12–15 years. All our down is certified with Downpass (animal welfare, traceability) and tested for harmful substances according to Oeko-Tex Standard 100.

For a detailed comparison between goose and duck down, see our guide Goose Down vs. Duck Down.

Feather Duvet: Affordable, but with Limitations

Feather duvets have a down content of less than 60% — the rest are feathers. Feathers provide support and add weight to the duvet but have hardly any climate-regulating properties. A feather duvet is therefore heavier, stiffer, and less breathable than a down duvet.

When a feather duvet makes sense:

• If you prefer a heavier blanket (some people sleep better under heavier blankets)
• If the budget is limited — feather duvets cost significantly less than pure down duvets
• As a temporary solution until you invest in a higher-quality duvet

When a feather duvet is not suitable:

• If you sweat at night — feathers regulate moisture much less effectively than down
• If you are looking for a light duvet — feather duvets weigh 1.5 to 2 times as much as a down duvet
• If you value longevity — feathers lose their structure more quickly

Primaloft Bio: The Synthetic Alternative

Primaloft is a high-tech microfiber that mimics the loft of down. The Bio variant consists of at least 60% recycled material, making it the most sustainable synthetic option.

Primaloft is the right choice for two groups:

1. Allergy sufferers: Primaloft does not provide a breeding ground for dust mites. The fiber is hypoallergenic and washable at 60 °C.
2. Vegans: Primaloft is 100% animal product-free. No down, no feathers, no wool.

Limitation: Primaloft regulates moisture less effectively than down. For heavy sweaters, a down duvet with NOMITE certification (suitable for allergy sufferers) is often the better choice. More on this in our guides Primaloft Duvet: Advantages and Comparison and NOMITE Duvet for Allergy Sufferers.

Tencel (Lyocell): The Cooling Specialist

Tencel is a cellulose fiber made from eucalyptus wood. Its special property: It feels noticeably cool to the touch and wicks away 50% more moisture than cotton (Source: Lenzing AG).

Tencel is used in duvets in two ways:

• As a cover fabric: A Tencel cover on a down duvet — this is the most effective combination for sleepers who sweat at night. More on this in our guide Sweating at Night: Which Duvet Helps?.
• As a filling: Pure Tencel duvets are light and cooling but have less loft than down. They are primarily suitable as summer duvets.

Detailed information can be found in our guide Tencel Duvet: Advantages and Properties.

Microfiber: The Entry-Level Option

Microfiber duvets are the most affordable category and an introduction to the world of duvets. They are easy to care for, quick-drying, and washable at 60 °C.

What microfiber can do: Light, uncomplicated, inexpensive. Ideal as a spare blanket, guest blanket, or for children who need frequent washing.

What microfiber cannot do: Regulate moisture. Microfiber absorbs virtually no sweat — the moisture remains between the body and the duvet. For sleepers prone to sweating, this is a real problem.

Our microfiber duvets contain Aloe Vera extract in the cover, which improves the skin feel. However, this does not compensate for the fundamental disadvantage in moisture regulation. You can read more about material selection for summer in our guide Summer duvet: Which material cools best?.

Which material suits your sleep type?

You sweat heavily at night

Recommendation: Down duvet (90%) with Tencel cover. The down regulates moisture, the Tencel cover cools the skin. Alternatively: Goose down duvet with NOMITE inlet. Under no circumstances: Microfiber or pure polyester duvet.

You get cold easily

Recommendation: Goose down duvet as a winter duvet (warmth class 4, high filling weight). Goose down has the highest fill power and provides the best warmth with the lowest weight. Detailed recommendations in our guide Winter duvet: Which filling weight?.

You have a dust mite allergy

Recommendation: Primaloft Bio (no breeding ground for mites, washable at 60°C) or down duvet with NOMITE inlet (mite-proof). Both options are medically equivalent — the down duvet offers a better sleep climate, the Primaloft duvet offers easier care.

You live vegan

Recommendation: Primaloft Bio (60% recycled, highest quality synthetic option) or Tencel (plant-based cellulose fiber). Both are animal-free. Microfiber is also vegan, but significantly worse in terms of climate regulation.

You are looking for the best value for money

Recommendation: Down duvet with 90% down content. Costs more than microfiber, but lasts 3–4 times longer. Calculated over 10–15 years, it is cheaper per year — and offers better sleep comfort every night.

Material choice by season

Season	Best material choice	Why
Summer	Down (light) + Tencel cover	Maximum cooling with best moisture regulation
Winter	Goose down (warm)	Highest thermal performance with lowest weight
All-season	Down 90% (medium)	Best compromise for all temperatures
4 Seasons	Down or Primaloft (buttonable)	Two duvets in one — most flexible solution

Read more about seasonal duvet choices in our guide 4-season duvet: Is it worth it?.

Care comparison

Material	Washing	Drying	Special feature
Down/Goose down	40–60 °C, delicate cycle	Tumble dry low, with tennis balls	Liquid detergent, no fabric softener
Feathers	40–60 °C, delicate cycle	Tumble dry low	Like down, but dries faster
Primaloft Bio	60 °C, normal cycle	Tumble dryer suitable	Easiest material to care for
Tencel	40 °C, delicate wash cycle	Tumble dry low or air dry	Max. 800 rpm spin cycle
Microfiber	60 °C, normal cycle	Tumble dry or air dry	Dries fastest

Detailed care instructions: Washing a down duvet | Storing a down duvet

Price-Performance: What is really worth it?

The purchase decision should not only consider the initial cost, but also the cost per year. A duvet that is twice as expensive but lasts three times as long is cheaper in the long run.

Material	Price (All-season)	Lifespan	Cost per year
Microfiber	~45 €	3–4 years	~12 €/year
Primaloft Bio	~80 €	6–8 years	~12 €/year
Down 90%	~170 €	10–15 years	~14 €/year
Goose down 90%	~230 €	12–15 years	~17 €/year

Result: All materials are surprisingly close in terms of cost per year (12–17 Euros/year). The difference lies in sleep comfort — and that is noticeable every night. For most sleepers, the down duvet with 90% offers the best overall package of comfort, durability, and value for money.

Summary

Choosing the right duvet depends on your sleep type, priorities, and budget. Here's a brief recommendation:

• Best All-rounder: Down duvet 90% — lightweight, durable, best climate regulation
• Premium Choice: Goose down duvet — highest fill power, maximum comfort
• Allergy sufferers & Vegans: Primaloft Bio — hypoallergenic, animal-product-free, easy to care for
• Heavy Sweaters: Down + Tencel cover — active cooling and moisture transport
• Budget Entry: Microfiber with Aloe Vera — affordable, uncomplicated

Duvets from BEFA Limburg in comparison

Frequently asked questions

Which duvet is the best?

The best duvet for most sleepers is a down duvet with 90% down content. It offers the best combination of lightness, climate regulation, and lifespan (10–15 years). For allergy sufferers and vegans, Primaloft Bio is the best alternative.

Which is better: down or feathers?

Down is better than feathers in almost all criteria: lighter, better climate regulation, higher loft, longer lifespan. Feathers are only cheaper and slightly heavier — which can be an advantage for some sleepers (weighted blanket effect).

Is Primaloft as good as down?

Primaloft imitates the loft of down well, but does not achieve the same moisture regulation. In terms of ease of care and suitability for allergy sufferers, Primaloft is even better. It is the first choice for vegans and allergy sufferers.

What is the difference between goose down and regular down?

Goose down is larger and has a higher fill power (130–150 mm) than duck down (100–120 mm). This means: more warmth with less weight. Goose down duvets are the premium option and cost correspondingly more.

Which duvet for allergy sufferers?

Two equivalent options: Primaloft Bio (synthetic, no mite breeding ground, washable at 60°C) or down duvet with NOMITE inlet (mite-proof woven cover). The down duvet offers a better sleep climate, the Primaloft duvet offers easier care.

How long does a duvet last?

That depends on the material: Down duvets 10–15 years, Tencel 8–12 years, Primaloft/Feathers 5–8 years, Microfiber 3–5 years. Proper care and storage significantly extend the lifespan.

Which duvet for summer?

For summer, we recommend a light down duvet (200–300 g filling weight) or a Tencel duvet. Both materials cool and regulate moisture. Microfiber is the least suitable for summer, as it traps heat and moisture.

Is an expensive duvet worth it?

If you consider the cost per year, more expensive duvets are often more economical. A down duvet for 170 Euros lasts 12 years (~14 Euros/year). A microfiber duvet for 45 Euros lasts 3–4 years (~12 Euros/year). The price difference per year is minimal — the comfort difference is noticeable every night.