9 Down Alternative Comforters Made With Nontoxic Materials
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We’ve researched, tested, and slept on nontoxic mattresses and bedding for years. These are our favorite down alternative comforters with natural and sustainable materials that are made to last.
There’s nothing quite like plopping into bed and snuggling up with a warm, cozy comforter at the end of the day. Traditionally, the fluffiest, comfiest comforters were made of down — goose or duck feathers — but down alternatives provide the same look and feel for those who prefer an all-season vegan alternative. Today, there are options for comforters and duvets made with down alternative materials and soft outer shells that will last you many comfy, cozy nights. 🍦
What are the benefits of a down alternative comforter?
For a number of reasons — allergies, ethical concerns, or even just comfort or preference (anyone ever had feathers falling out of a pillow or jacket left and right?) — down comforters might not be the best choice for you. Thankfully, many down alternative comforters are just as high quality, warm, and fluffy as what you may have come to expect.
What is a down alternative comforter made of?
Instead of feathers, down alternative comforters are made of plant-based or synthetic materials that mimic the fluffiness, breathability, and warmth of down. Here are a few common down alternative materials:
- Kapok: A natural fiber harvested from the seed pods of the kapok tree.
- TENCEL/Lyocell: A blend of sustainable eucalyptus and other wood pulp.
- Polyester/Microfiber: Some comforters use these synthetic materials that are made of PET (plastic). We usually avoid these fabrics, but sometimes will opt for a small amount of recycled polyester depending on the blend.
One of the main benefits of using a down alternative instead of down is that these materials are hypoallergenic. Kapok and lyocell are also antimicrobial, which means they naturally keep away bacteria, mold, and fungi from your bedding. Comforters that are antimicrobial are a great option if you want an option that you don’t have to wash frequently.
What to look for when shopping for a down alternative comforter:
Most down alternative comforters are available in various warmth and weight preferences, often lightweight, heavyweight, and all-season (or a variation of these). If you’re a hot sleeper, live in a warm climate, or like to switch out your bedding seasonally, you might want to consider a lightweight comforter. If you are a cold sleeper, live in a cooler climate, or prefer to have a winter-specific comforter, the heavyweight might be your best choice. If you’re unsure of which is best for you, or you prefer to have the same comforter year-round, the all-season is a perfect middle ground. If you’re not sure which weight is best for you, many of these brands offer trial periods so you can see if it works for you and your sleep, and exchange it out or return it if it doesn’t.
Another important consideration when shopping for down alternative comforters is the certifications they hold. Third-party certifications are a great way to ensure that the claims the companies make about their products are accurate. A few relevant certifications for down alternatives include:
- OEKO-TEX: An independent, global certification for textiles, this certification ensures products have been tested for (and subsequently are free from) over 1,000 harmful substances.
- GOTS Certified: One of the leading certifications for organic companies worldwide, GOTS stands for Global Organic Textile Standard and requires the company must use at least 95% natural organic fibers.
- Made Safe: This U.S.-based certification verifies products are made without known toxic chemicals that could be harmful to human health and the environment.
How to wash a down alternative comforter:
Some down alternative comforters are spot clean or dry clean only, but if you have one that can be put in the washing machine, here are a few things to keep in mind. Check the tag and/or the website for instructions on what is best for your specific comforter, but typically, you’re going to want to wash it on cold in a gentle or delicate cycle. Some comforters can go in the dryer as well on a low tumble dry, but others require that you hang or lay it out to dry. If you do tumble dry, use dryer balls to help fluff it back up.
Our criteria:
- NONTOXIC & ORGANIC |Each brand’s blankets are made of organic, natural, or recycled materials like kapok, Tencel, and recycled polyester, and they also host third-party certifications to guarantee you have a safe sleeping environment.
- COMFORTABLE | These comforters come in various weights and sizes so you can find the one that fits perfectly for your sleep preferences, whether you sleep hot or cold.
- SUSTAINABLE | The brands on this list carefully source materials, use safe and ethical labor practices, and give back to the community and the environment in various ways.
Looking for more bedding to go with your comforter? Check out our favorite sustainable bedding brands for everything from sheets to pillowcases to throws.
1. Naturepedic
Best For | Certified organic duvets
Materials | GOTS-certified organic cotton, GOTS-certified organic kapok
Brand Ethics | Made Safe, 1% for the Planet, GOTS-certified factory
Sizes Available | Full/Queen, King/CalKing
Price Range | $249-$299
Machine Washable | No
Naturepedic’s all-season Organic Cotton Kapok Comforter is made from GOTS-certified organic cotton and organic kapok in a GOTS-certified factory. Kapok is a natural fiber harvested from the seed pods of the kapok tree. It’s an incredibly sustainable option because its harvest doesn’t require deforestation, and since it’s found in tropical forests naturally, there’s no need for irrigation, pesticides, or synthetic fertilizers. Kapok mimics down, giving the comforter a breathable, fluffy feel that’s long-lasting. This comforter is spot clean only, but kapok is naturally moisture-resistant so it’ll stay fresh and cloud-like for a long time. We love Naturepedic for its ethics, from being a part of 1% for the Planet to being an active participant in advocacy with many organizations.
Customer Review | “…It’s been almost a month now, and I must say that this comforter is exactly what I was looking for: organic/vegan friendly, perfect balance of warmth as I have it in a duvet cover.” – Gabriel M. [Read more reviews.]
2. Sijo
Best For | Cooling comforter
Materials | TENCEL Lyocell
Brand Ethics | Gives back, vertical integration allows for control over ethical production
Sizes Available | Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/CalKing
Price Range | $195-$275
Machine Washable | No
For a lightweight, cooling down alternative comforter option, Sijo’s AiryWeight Cooling Eucalyptus Comforter is the choice. It’s made entirely of TENCEL lyocell fibers — a blend of sustainably farmed eucalyptus and other wood. The cover is a silky soft sateen weave, and the fill is lightweight and breathable. The comforter is hypoallergenic and OEKO-TEX certified, and it’s naturally moisture-wicking for a cool and dry sleep. With every purchase, you get to choose an organization for Sijo to donate to. And Sijo donates a portion of all sales Joyful Hart Foundation, which helps sexual assault survivors reclaim their sense of joy.
Customer Review | “This comforter is so great. It’s the perfect weight and I love the peace of mind of knowing that it’s organic!” – Kelley A. [Read more reviews.]
3. The Citizenry
Best For | Fair Trade duvets
Materials | Recycled polyester from PET bottles, cotton
Brand Ethics | Fair Trade, eco-friendly factory
Sizes Available | Full/Queen, King/CalKing
Price Range | $259-$299
Machine Washable | No
The Citizenry is known for partnering with artisans and its Fair Trade practices. The design company’s Signature Down-Alternative Duvet is made in Canada in a Fair Trade, eco-friendly factory. It’s a breathable, lightweight OEKO-TEX certified down-like comforter filled with microfibers made from recycled PET water bottles and a shell made from 400 thread count cotton. This duvet is spot clean only and dry clean if needed.
Customer Review | “I somehow misread the product and bought it thinking it was down, as opposed to down alternative, but I have to say I really love it- it’s fluffy, a great weight, and has little ties in the corners to help keep it in place inside the duvet cover. Feels like down without the higher price tag!” – Andrea D. [Read more reviews.]
4. Saatva
Best For | Plush comforter
Materials | Percale cotton, down alternative, and lyocell blend fill
Brand Ethics | Plants trees with Evertreen, member of the Sustainable Furnishings Council, ethical sourcing of materials
Sizes Available | Twin/Twin XL, Full/Queen, King/CalKing
Price Range | $235-$365
Machine Washable | Yes
Saatva is known for its sustainable and nontoxic mattresses, but it also has bedding, including a Down Alternative Comforter. The plush comforter is made from organic cotton with a hypoallergenic 3D down alternative and sustainable lyocell fill, making it breathable, moisture-wicking, and a great option for those looking for something plush and airy. The box quilting design keeps the fill evenly distributed and the loops keep the duvet cover (sold separately) stay put. Saatva plants trees in partnership with Evertreen, and you can track the Saatva forest here.
Customer Review | “I absolutely adore this comforter! It’s simply beautiful! I highly recommend it. I would definitely buy another one and recommend it to my family and friends.” – Joanne S. [Read more reviews.]
5. Silk & Snow
Best For | Breathable comforters
Materials | Cotton, hypoallergenic down alternative microfiber fill
Brand Ethics | Plants trees with Veritree, partners with True North Aid to give back to the community
Sizes Available | Twin/TwinXL, Full/Queen, King/CalKing
Price Range | $68-$155
Machine Washable | Yes
Silk & Snow is a Canada-based company that creates sleep essentials, from bedding to mattresses. They source their materials responsibly and work with manufacturers who care about the environment. The Down Alternative Comforter has a 100% cotton shell with a hypoallergenic microfiber fill. It comes in three weight options: light, all season, and winter, and is machine washable. Silk & Snow plants trees through a partnership with Veritree, and works with True North Aid on A Good Night’s Sleep Project to give mattresses and bedding to Indigenous communities in northern Canada.
Customer Review | “Everything we buy from this company is amazing! The duvet is perfección. Feels great, looks great and works great! Fantastic price for the product. Highly recommend it. I always buy all bedroom stuff from Silk and Snow.” – Vanesa S. [Read more reviews.]
6. Quince
Best For | Budget-friendly duvets
Materials | Oeko-Tex Standard 100 Certified Cotton, hypoallergenic microfiber fill
Brand Ethics | Transparent pricing, responsible and sustainable factories
Sizes Available | Twin, Full/Queen, King/CalKing
Price Range | $99-$169
Machine Washable | Yes
Quince is a reader favorite brand with affordable and high-quality essentials, from clothing to jewelry to home goods. The brand is known for its fair pricing, transparency, and sustainable and ethical factories. Its Premium Down Alternative Comforter is made with a hypoallergenic microfiber fill and a 100% cotton shell. It’s OEKO-TEX Standard 100 Certified, and made in the U.S. Quince’s down alternative comforter comes in three sizes (twin, full/queen, king/kingCal and three warmth options (lightweight, all-season, ultra-warm). It also has loops on the corners if you want to put a duvet cover on it.
Customer Review | “Perfect weight, comfy, lovely. Genuinely love getting into bed every night because of this.” – Drew C. [Read more reviews.]
7. Tuft & Needle
Best For | Oversized comforter
Materials | 100% cotton shell, hypoallergenic polyester fill
Brand Ethics | OEKO-TEX Certified materials
Sizes Available | Twin/TwinXL, Full/Queen, King/CalKing
Price Range | $136-$
Machine Washable | Yes
Tuft & Needle’s Down Alternative Duvet Insert is made to be oversized so you don’t have to worry about sharing. It’s available in lightweight or medium, both of which are made with a lightweight hypoallergenic polyester fill that’s designed to keep from clumping. This duvet is also machine-washable and can go in the dryer, too — they just recommend throwing dryer balls (or tennis balls) to fluff it while it dries. Tuft & Needle offers a 100-night trial and a warranty too, but they say 95% of customers choose to keep their products.
Customer Review | “I’ve had this duvet for about 3 years now, and it has been wonderful. I bought the lightweight version, and it’s perfect for spring, summer, and fall. We keep our house very cool in the winter, so I add another light duvet on top for those months. Washes really well, too. Perfect!” – Jeanniet [Read more reviews.]
8. Brooklinen
Best For | Hypoallergenic comforter
Materials | 100% cotton, hypoallergenic recycled poly microgel fill
Brand Ethics | Global Recycled Standard (GRS) Certified recycled fill, partners with Good360 to distribute returned products to donation centers
Sizes Available | Twin/TwinXL, Full/Queen, King/CalKing
Price Range | $135-$409
Machine Washable | Yes
Brooklinen is a popular brand for textile goods, like bedding, towels, bathrobes, and more. Their Down Alternative Comforter is fluffy and intentionally oversized, and it’s available in lightweight, heavyweight, and all-season for whatever warmth you prefer. It’s filled with hypoallergenic recycled poly microgel that mimics the feel of down, and features baffle box construction to keep it all in place. This comforter is both OEKO-TEX Standard certified and Global Recycled Standard (GRS) Certified, ensuring it’s made with high quality materials and passes chemical safety requirements.
Customer Review | “I wanted a top tier comforter, my wife did not want down. This was perfect. I am absolutely enthralled. I do not love the “duvet cover” lifestyle but I’ll get used to it I guess, this is my first experience with it.” – Michael G. [Read more reviews.]
9. West Elm
Best For | Lots of comforter options
Materials | Organic cotton, TENCEL Lyocell
Brand Ethics | Includes GOTS certified cotton, OEKO-TEX Standard certified
Sizes Available | Twin/TwinXL, Full/Queen, King/CalKing
Price Range | $179-$329
Machine Washable | Yes
West Elm offers a few OEKO-TEX certified duvets, including the HydroCool Cooling Down Alternative Duvet Insert, which is perfect for hot sleepers who want a comforter that’s cooling and breathable. Their Microgel Down Alternative Insert is another great option for hot sleepers, as its gel-like feel and soft 100% organic cotton shell is breathable and temperature-regulating. If you want a more classic duvet option, they also offer a TENCEL Blended Down Alternative Insert that has a perfect everyday plush feel.
Featured image is from Quince
Brianna Schubert is a writer and editor based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She is a Contributing Editor at The Good Trade, an editorial assistant at Motley Bloom, and a freelance writer. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Since 2023, Brianna has combined her expertise and investigative skills to deliver thoughtful reviews of sustainable products and home goods, helping readers make informed, eco-conscious choices. Brianna is also the writer behind The Mood Board, a Substack newsletter for creativity and inspiration. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking up a new recipe, reading and recommending books, cuddling with her cat, or yapping with her friends at a café. Say hi on Instagram!
