What to Look for When Buying a Down Comforter

Here's how to choose from the multitude of options Down comforters are great. They are insulating - they keep you warm in the winter, and you are less likely to overheat in the summer months. They breathe. They're fluffy, comfortable, and soft. Duvet covers allow you to change styles and colors, keep your down comforter clean, and wash it without actually washing it. Down comforters are wonderful. But that doesn't mean they're all the same. Here are some things to look for when you're in the market for a down comforter. First, fill power. Fill power is how much down the comforter has. More foam insulation in the attic means a more comfortable house. More fill power means a more comfortable comforter. A higher fill-power number means your comforter is lighter, fluffier, and more insulated. A good fill power for a down comforter is at least 500; 600 or more is better. Fill power can hit some pretty high numbers - 800 is not out of the question. Those are not only more expensive, but may even be a little too warm if you're looking for a year-round bed cover.

Down comforters are very versatile, as far as use during both cold and warm conditions. But a heavy one is going to be warmer, and a light one might need a little help on those long winter nights.

As always, a high thread count is good

Thread count is usually mentioned in a discussion about bedding. When it comes to shopping for a down comforter, a higher thread count is good. A higher thread count not only feels softer, but it keeps dirt out and down in.

Baffling

A down comforter is not simply a singular space filled with down like a pillow. Down comforters are stitched into several separate compartments, or squares, filled with down. This is called baffling, and good baffling is important toward proper down insulation. This keeps the down evenly distributed and fluffy, which prevents clumping. Stitching and design are important. A baffle-box comforter is better than one which is "sewn through."

Warranty can also be an important consideration. It says something about a company's confidence in its product if it offers a long and comprehensive warranty to back it up. And as always, be sure you're getting the right size.