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The best summer duvets for keeping cool in the heatwave, tried and tested
Sleep soundly when it's just too hot
Tested by Blossom BoothroydHomes Testing Manager
Good sleep can be harder to come by once the mercury rises (or if you're a hot sleeper generally), but one easy way to make your nights more comfortable is to invest in one of the the best summer duvets.
However, with a range of fabrics, fillings and togs to choose from, knowing which duvet will keep you cool can be tricky. That’s why our experts at the Good Housekeeping Institute put them to the test, recruiting a panel to try them at home as well as carrying out wash tests in the lab to find the best summer duvets on the market.
Here are our winners at a glance, but keep scrolling for our detailed reviews.
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Prices are for a standard double duvet.
How we test duvets
We send every duvet out to four different people, who sleep with them for a few weeks and then share their experiences via a detailed survey. They tell us about comfort, how easy it is to fit into their sheets and, of course, whether they're actually temperature regulating at night.
In the lab, our experts also examine the quality of each duvet and look for any standout features. Each design is also measured to confirm that its dimensions match the brand’s claims.
They are then washed and dried following their care instructions. And, once dry, we inspect the duvet to see if there has been any change in quality, loft or appearance, and remeasure to check for shrinkage.
These are our winners for summer (or year-round if you sleep hot!).
Simba Summer Hybrid Duvet
Score: 98/100
With a near perfect score, our winning summer duvet is one you’ll want to take to bed on heatwave weeks. It impressed our panel of testers with its cosy feel, comfort and how easily it slipped inside a duvet cover. In fact, our panellists had nothing bad to say!
You can forget about heat disrupting your sleep too – this lightweight design kept our testers cool without any sweating, and still provided a comfortable amount of warmth when it wasn’t so hot outside.
One tester described it as the “best duvet ever – perfect for those with high body temperature due to sharing the bed, menopause or monthly cycle.” And everyone said they would recommend this summer buy to others.
Key specifications
| Filling | Simba renew bio fibres |
|---|---|
| Tog | 4.5 |
| Sizes | Single, double, king, super king |
| Machine wash | Wash at 40°c with a mild detergent |
Next Temperature Regulating 10.5 Tog Duvet
Next Temperature Regulating 10.5 Tog Duvet
Score: 91/100
Washing your duvet regularly is always important but being able to freshen it up during summer when we tend to be sweatier is even more essential. Dropping just over one mark in our wash test, this lightweight design is a trusty buy – it dried quickly, didn’t shrink and maintained its high quality.
Our panellists were impressed too, as it lived up to its temperature-regulating claims, keeping them cool at night. Some liked its airy feel but others would have preferred a snugger design. However, it's worth nothing that this duvet is available in a whole range of tog options (we tested the 10.5 tog option, which would work year-round if you don't like anything too warm).
Key specifications
| Filling | Fibre |
|---|---|
| Tog | 10.5 |
| Sizes | Single, double, king, super king |
| Machine wash | Yes |
Score: 90/100
This 7.5 tog microfibre duvet is designed for sweet dreams all year round, but the lower tog rating makes it a great summer option.
We found it well-constructed with an evenly distributed filling that stayed in place after washing. Rather than shrinking, we noticed that this duvet stretched minimally, but the 2cm difference wasn’t enough to impact how well it fitted into a standard double duvet cover.
Our panel found the lightweight design comfortable to sleep with, and most said it regulated their body temperature, helping them sleep easy.
Key specifications
| Filling | Fibre |
|---|---|
| Tog | 7.5 |
| Sizes | Single, double, king, super king |
| Machine wash | Yes – at 60°c |
Score: 90/100
This is another great value duvet for warmer weather. Soft and comfortable to sleep with, the filling remains even throughout the night and washed well on test, drying in less than three hours.
Like the other 4.5 togs on our list, it may not offer enough warmth for cooler nights – you can swap to one of our best winter duvets when temperatures drop – but our panel rated it highly for suiting their body temperatures, and most said they’d recommend the lightweight duvet to friends and family.
Key specifications
| Filling | Fibre |
|---|---|
| Tog | 4.5 |
| Sizes | Single, double, king |
| Machine wash | Yes – at 40C |
John Lewis Active Allergy Duvet
John Lewis Active Allergy Duvet
Score: 90/100
A rise in temperature can also rouse underlying allergies, but this duvet is here to help you avoid unwanted sniffles. It’s treated with “HeiQ Allergen Tech”, which uses natural probiotics to eliminate common allergens such as dust mites, pet hair and some types of pollen. Judging by the feedback from our allergy-suffering panel members, it delivered on this claim, with one saying they would “highly recommend” it.
The premium polyester filling traps heat, drawing it away from your skin, and has a light, open structure, making it great for warmer nights. It also has a 205 pure cotton thread count, which is naturally cooling and breathable. In fact, one of our hot sleepers enjoyed notably better sleep with this duvet compared to their regular one.
Key specifications
| Filling | 100% polyester |
|---|---|
| Tog | 4.5 |
| Sizes | Single, Double, King, Super King |
| Machine wash | Machine washable at 30ºc |
Bedeck Murmur Temperature Regulating Duvet – 10.5
Score: 88/100
Made from 100% cotton, this duvet effectively manages temperature fluctuations by absorbing body heat and releasing it once you’ve cooled down. One tester, who tested it during changeable weather, told us, “I’ve never felt too hot or cold with it” – a testament to its regulating capabilities.
Our panellists found the material gentle and silky to touch, making it ideal for those with eczema-prone skin. Crafted with the brand’s Airblend filling, it mimics the feel of feather down without triggering allergies, ensuring a restful and comfortable night's sleep.
Key specifications
| Filling | Airblend |
|---|---|
| Tog | 10.5 |
| Sizes | Single, Double, King, Super King |
| Machine wash | Machine washable |
Woolroom Organic Washable Wool Duvet – Light
Woolroom Organic Washable Wool Duvet – Light
Score 88/100
Wool is naturally temperature regulating, making it a smart choice for summer. It’s also naturally hypoallergenic and this duvet has Allergy UK approval. Most of our panel found it kept them cool and they liked the quality feel of the duvet. Wool does have a distinct smell, but testers said it dissipated quickly.
Coming with detailed care advice, it’s machine washable and we were impressed that its appearance remained the same after washing, although there was some shrinkage and it must be line-dried. Wool doesn’t correspond to a tog rating, but this lightweight duvet is a premium temperature-regulating buy.
Key specifications
| Filling | Wool |
|---|---|
| Tog | N/A |
| Sizes | Single, double, king, super king |
| Machine wash | Yes – on a wool or delicate cycle |
Slumberdown Cool Summer Coverless Duvet
Score: 84/100
A coverless design means you’ll never need to wrestle with bedsheets again – instead, it can be chucked straight into the wash! Ideal for the morning after those sweaty summer nights. It’s a quick and convenient solution to grab from the cupboard on those transitional nights when it’s just starting to warm up.
Designed for hot sleepers, its lightweight material helps regulate body temperature. Most panel members agreed it helped them stay cool while still feeling cosy. “It’s heavy enough to still feel like there was a duvet, but cool enough to not cook you overnight,” said one tester.
Key specifications
| Filling | Polyester |
|---|---|
| Tog | Unstated |
| Sizes | Single, Double, King, Super King |
| Machine wash | Can be machine washed at 40 degrees of lower and can be tumble dried. |
Slumberdown Made For You Two Dual 4.5 Tog Lightweight Cool Summer Plus 10.5 Tog
Slumberdown Made For You Two Dual 4.5 Tog Lightweight Cool Summer Plus 10.5 Tog
Score: 83/100
If you run hotter than the sun, and your partner has ice blocks for feet, then this handy dual-tog design from Slumberdown may be the duvet your relationship needs. It takes dedicated sides of the bed seriously, with one light 4.5 tog side, and a warmer 10.5 tog filling on the other.
Most testers liked this versatile option and found it regulated their body temperatures well. It was a success with one menopausal tester too, who liked how it kept her cool but comfortable.
And washing was straightforward – the filling stayed put and although it shrank slightly, you wouldn’t notice it much within a duvet cover.
Key specifications
| Filling | Microfibre |
|---|---|
| Tog | 4.5 and 10.5 sides |
| Sizes | Double, king |
| Machine wash | Yes up to 40°c |
Slumberdown Anti Allergy Double Duvet 4.5 Tog
Slumberdown Anti Allergy Double Duvet 4.5 Tog
Score: 82/100
Filled with an anti-allergy microfibre specifically designed to help reduce bacteria and dust mites, this duvet will have you snoozing peacefully rather than sniffling persistently. Multiple testers praised its lightweight properties, making it great for summer comfort and also ideal for packing away and storing in the winter.
You can also purchase an all-seasons version, which comes with an additional 10.5 tog layer you can clip on, giving you a cosy winter duvet.
The stitching wasn’t the highest quality, but generally our testers reported a good and even distribution of the filling inside.
Key specifications
| Filling | Microfibre |
|---|---|
| Tog | 4.5 |
| Sizes | Single, double, king, superking |
| Machine wash | Yes |
IKEA FJALLARNIKA Duvet 4+7.5 Tog
IKEA FJALLARNIKA Duvet 4+7.5 Tog
Score: 75/100
This all-season duvet is an excellent choice for year-round comfort. Don’t let memories of IKEA flatpacks cloud your judgement – detaching and reattaching the two duvets is effortless, thanks to the convenient poppers for easily switching togs between seasons.
The duck-down filling is evenly distributed and held together with well-constructed stitching and seams. While some noticed a bit of rustling when tossing and turning, this is typical for this type of filling. Priced under £100, it still delivers impressive quality, with one tester commenting, “It reminded me of a luxury hotel bed.”
Key specifications
| Filling | Duck down and feathers |
|---|---|
| Tog | 4 + 7.5 |
| Sizes | Single, Double, King |
| Machine wash | Yes at max 60º. Safe for tumble dryer use |
Why trust the Good Housekeeping Institute
We've been testing products for over 100 years here at the Good Housekeeping Institute, including a wide range of bedding. From the best mattresses to the best pillows, we can recommend the best products to upgrade your sleep space.
Our senior wellness tester, Kim Hawley, led the test on summer duvets. She's conducted tests across hundreds of products, and ensures strict protocols are put in place in the lab testing to thoroughly scrutinise each product against its claims. She also works with our panel members to collate their honest feedback on how the duvets fared in the real world.
Our lifestyle writer, Madeleine Evans, then takes both sets of data to help inform her product write ups. She has created hundreds of these, so knows what important features to highlight, as well as any downfalls to give an honest and fair representation of feedback.
What material is best for a summer duvet?
There are a few main fabrics and fillings to choose from when shopping for a duvet. Here’s what to consider for each.
Down
This traditional feather filling is known for being warm, so if you want to enjoy its luxe feel in the summer, make sure you look for a low tog. Down is also notably durable, but if you suffer from allergies, note that it isn't hypoallergenic.
Microfibre
This synthetic filling tends to cost less than down, and is designed to imitate the feel of feathers. It also tends to be hypoallergenic.
The filling doesn’t have the same longevity as down and can lose its loft (or fluffiness) over time, but brands are increasingly using recycled plastic bottles in the manufacturing, which can make it a greener choice.
Other natural fibres
Natural fibres, including cotton, wool, bamboo and silk, tend to be more breathable than microfibre.
Unlike down, most natural fibres are suitable if you have allergies. Silk, bamboo and wool also have moisture-wicking properties, which is ideal if you get night sweats.
What tog duvet is best for summer?
A tog rating tells you how much warmth a duvet will give – the lower the number, the cooler the duvet.
Our Good Housekeeping Institute experts recommend around 4.5 togs for summer. But, the number you opt for depends on personal preference and how hot you and your home tend to get.
How to choose a summer duvet
These are the key factors to consider when you're shopping for your summer duvet.
Filling: This will largely depend on whether you want natural fibres, or man--made. Both offer different benefits (as noted above) and have different price points (down and wool tend to be more expensive, for example). If you suffer from allergies, you may want to consider a microfibre filling as this tends to be hypoallergenic.
Tog: If you're a hot sleeper, you may prefer a 4.5 tog duvet year-round. Alternatively, you could look for a design that can transform into an all-seasons duvet by joining it together with a thicker tog layer.
Casing: This is the outer layer of the duvet, which makes just as much difference as the filling. It's worth opting for a breathable material, such as cotton or bamboo, as they will help temperature regulation.
How to care for your summer duvet
Make sure to wash your duvet before you put it away for winter – either in the machine or by taking it for a professional clean. It’s important to always follow the manufacturer's instructions because many natural fibre duvets need to be cleaned delicately or can be dry clean-only.
Our household advice editor recommends washing your duvet every couple of months to keep it fresh and stop dust mites gathering.
If you don’t have the space to store an extra duvet or you’re looking for a more cost-effective buy, you can also check out our round-up of the best all-season duvets.
The verdict on the best summer duvets
With a score of 98/100, it's hard to find fault with our winner, the Simba Summer Hybrid Duvet. Our panellists loved everything about it – it kept them cool yet comfortable, and it regulated their body temperature.
Summer is prime time for allergies, so if you suffer from sneezing and wheezing, we suggest opting for the John Lewis Active Allergy Duvet to curb your symptoms.
If it's value that you're looking for, then the Slumberdown Cool Summer Nights Duvet is an affordable option for under £25. Despite its price. it doesn't skimp on quality and our testers loved how lightweight and breathable it was.
Madeleine is our Lifestyle Writer, specialising in expert-tested reviews and round-ups on the latest beauty Beauty and Health & Wellness products. From skincare to protein powders, Maddie is committed to providing honest and helpful reviews to help guide readers to the best product for them. Maddie has a BA in English Literature and Language, which stemmed from her lifelong interest in reading and writing. She started her post graduate life at Hearst UK within a marketing capacity, which quickly turned into a desire to fulfil a writing career.
When she is not writing about the latest expert reviewed products, you can find her rifling through vintage shops or car boots, reading a print magazine, or capturing portraits on her film camera.
Blossom is passionate about finding the best home products and appliances for GH readers. As head of the homes testing team, she has led reviews across multiple categories, from pizza ovens, and smart plugs to portable fans and hobs. She enjoys delving into the intricacies of products and refining testing protocols to ensure we’re testing them against their claims. Her aim is to find the top-performing products on the market, to help take the hard work out of housework. Blossom’s most notable accomplishment in the lab has been toasting 528 slices of bread in her quest to find the best toasters money can buy. In her free time, she openly admits to being a music geek and indulges her creative side through crocheting, baking, singing and writing.
