


For those who need to be under the covers, even when it's hot as hell.
Looking for more bedding recommendations? Check out our guides to the best bed sheets, pillows, mattresses and bed frames.
Hot sleepers have a hard time sleeping comfortably already. Throw in high temperatures and unbearable humidity, and sleeping in the summer is more of a nightmare than an actual nightmare. If you're someone who needs to be covered to fall asleep, these comforters offer all the coziness of a duvet, minus the night sweats.
Most comforters will have an outer shell made of something like cotton or polyester. When discussing cooling comforter materials, discussions usually come down to fill. Here are some common comforter fill materials, and how they affect your sleep.
Down: Down offers that plush and comforting feel that a lot of people love, but its ability to insulate heat makes it a so-so material for a cooling comforter.
Wool: Wool might seem counterintuitive for staying cool, but merino wool has the natural ability to wick away moisture
Cotton: Cotton comes in a wide variety of styles so it's hard to say that cotton overall is a good or bad option for fill. Generally, cotton is affordable and it definitely won't be too insulating, so it's a good middle-of-the-road option for those who don't sleep too hot at night
Down alternative: Some people don't like down because it can be expensive, and it's also an allergen. Typically polyester, down alternative can be configured to be more cooling, and it's why a lot of the options here have down alternative fill.
A duvet and a comforter are interchangeable terms. You'll hear duvet more often when used in association with a duvet cover — you put the duvet into the duvet cover, which extends the longevity of the duvet. If you've come this far, here's the short answer: Duvets and comforters are basically both blankets.