The Best Comforter Sets in Canada 

A person who on average sleeps eight hours a night spends at least twenty-five years in bed (one-third of their life or 9,125 days). While it sounds like a lot or even a waste of time, proper sleep is crucial for physical and mental well-being. It is not enough to just lie down and close your eyes to get every benefit from nighttime rest. Sleep quality is impacted by such factors as temperature in the room, excessive light, how much caffeine one has throughout the day, and of course the comfort of the bed.    

One of the best ways to regulate your body temperature at night is to choose breathable bedding and a suitable comforter. A comforter is a cozy soft cloud that makes your sleep better (and harder to get out in the morning). On the other hand, a poor-quality comforter can disrupt your sleep by feeling too bulky on your body or rough against the skin.   

While we will investigate the difference between a comforter and a duvet, it is worth mentioning that a comforter set is an ideal choice for students moving into a college dorm, or in fact, anyone moving into a new place, and someone who simply wants to refresh the look of their bed without spending too much on it.   

However, finding the right comforter set is a challenging task. The available sets vary in material, weight, down type and construction. That is why researching the best comforter sets in Canada we included several options for down-alternative comforters, down fill comforters, comforters that come with pillow shams and more.  

To find the best comforters available in Canada, we spent at least fifteen hours researching the product and based our selection on the following factors.  

First, we focused on customers’ reviews, especially considering warm sleepers and people with allergies.   

Second, we analyzed what other buying guides (Wirecutter, The Spruce, Made in CA) had to say about the best comforter sets. Some of those guides even had a chance to test a few of those comforters.   

Third, we included only best-reviewed comforters that earned at least four stars on Amazon and other online retailers.   

Comforter vs Duvet: 

Although you can use both a comforter and a duvet to cover yourself when sleeping, there are several key differences between them.   

The first difference is that a duvet always requires a cover while comforters come with one. However, that also means that the duvet is easier to keep clean, while the comforter might require more frequent washings.   

Another difference and reason why many people choose a comforter over a duvet is that duvets (especially king-size) are difficult to slide into their covers. Since a comforter is a single piece that does not require a cover, most users prefer to use it as-is.   

Third, duvets are generally fluffier than comforters. Unlike duvets, comforters have a quilted-through design that makes them flatter. Duvets also come with more filling (down or down-alternative) than comforters.   

Choosing between a duvet and a comforter is based on personal preference. A comforter is a simpler solution (it often comes with matching pillow shams) that does not require additional pieces to protect it, while duvet can provide more warmth and feel fluffier.    

Fill power:  

Before we explain more about fill power remember numbers 600 to 800—the higher number indicates more voluminous down which means a warmer comforter. High fill power also means higher quality down fill. Lower-priced or entry-level comforters typically use at least 75% down (for down-filled comforters) mixed with cheaper feathers.   

If you are someone who easily overheats while sleeping, then choose a comforter at 400 or below. 400-600 is a versatile number for all-season comforters. The closer you get to 800 the warmer and more appropriate for Canadian winters the comforter would be.  

Most comforters are available in several weights which makes it easier to choose between light, medium or all-season and heavy (the heavier the comforter the warmer you will stay overnight).   

Down type:  

Speaking of feathers, the most common type of down is goose or duck feather fill. Goose down is much fluffier than duck down because the latter one comes from small ducks with small puffs of down.   

While more and more people care about the footprint they leave on the environment, including refusing to wear down-fill parkas or sleep under down comforters, companies also take steps towards more humane production. It is still difficult to sort out whether down was collected by plucking a live goose or a duck. However, several companies that produce comforters are transparent about using humanely harvested down only.   

Look for the RDS (Responsibly Down Standard) sign which certifies products created with the use of feathers from certified farms. When you see this certificate whether on a comforter, a duvet or a pillow, you can be sure that geese or ducks down was derived in agreement with established criteria of animal welfare.   

The down alternative is another option you could go for if you are looking for a more sustainable comforter at a lower price. Basically, the down alternative is a polyester-cotton blend that varies from gel-fiber filling to a lightweight, breathable fill called PrimaLoft.   

Construction:  

No matter the brand, price point or materials, all comforters are constructed of two layers of fabric with an insulating down (or down alternative) between them. However, the way comforters’ stuffing is distributed throughout the entire blanket varies as baffle-box and sewn-through.   

Sewn-through comforters feature boxes or other patterns that prevent fill from shifting around. Those comforters are easier to wash because each small pocket does not allow the down to move around during washing and drying in a tumbler. The only downside to sewn-through comforters is the chance that cold air may get through seams making your sleep less toasty.   

Baffle-box comforters have vertical strips of fabric that create three-dimensional walls between the top and bottom layers of the comforter. Those baffles keep the down airy and help to retain more heat.   

However, bigger sections allow down to shift around making it unevenly distributed over time. (To prevent it make sure to shake your comforter well in the morning and evening.)  

Thread count and weave type:  

If you want a comforter that keeps down inside a comforter’s shell look for a plain-woven fabric (cotton cambric or percale) which is a dense and durable material. If you also want a luxurious touch, be prepared to pay a higher price for a sateen or jacquard comforter (made of soft and shiny cotton weave).    

(Look for OEKO-TEX—certified cotton that is free from harmful substances such as formaldehyde, heavy metals and plasticizers.)  

The ultimate thread count for a comforter is 300-400. It provides a pleasant feeling against the skin and is enough for down retention.   

Colour and design: 

Choosing a colour and pattern of a comforter set is based on personal preference, (unless you buy a plain white comforter that should be used with a duvet covet). Several comforters on our list are available in multiple colours and patterns to match your home decor. However, as per many reviewers, Amazon tends to show colours more vibrant than they are in real life. We recommend looking at user review images to see the colour you selected in a different lighting.   

If you prefer a pattern over a solid colour, but worry it would become tedious, you always have an option to use a duvet cover to refresh the look of your comforter.   

Care:  

A comforter is an investment into your sleep. That is why it has to be properly cleaned and protected (especially if it comes without a cover).    

Many users of comforters share that to make it warmer during cold months they add a flannel duvet cover and take it off for spring and summer months. By doing that you can opt for an all-season comforter without worrying it won’t keep you warm enough.   

Other reviewers recommend using a duvet cover all year round to extend the time between washings and prevent feathers from sticking out.  

Overall, the down and shell of a comforter might decay much faster when it is exposed to body oil every single night. In that case, down-alternative comforters can be washed more often than the goose or duck-down blankets. (A down comforter is not recommended to wash too frequently. You can do that once a year, or every three years if the comforter is not stained.) Frequent use of hot water can damage the down and baffle-box walls and shorten the lifespan of the comforter.   

What is a comforter?

A comforter can serve as both a bed covering and a blanket. It is a single-piece unit constructed of two pieces of fabric shell with a down or down-alternative fill in between. 

Comforters are placed on top of a flat sheet or a duvet that you use to cover yourself. However, comforters also can be used instead of duvets. They often come as a set with one or two pillow shams included.   

Why get a comforter set in Canada?

Comforters are not only cozy and warm (which is essential during wintertime in Canada), but also provide you with an affordable and quick way to refresh the look of your bed.   

Generally, comforters are lighter and less expensive than duvets which makes them ideal for covering your bed in the morning and sleeping underneath during the night.   

Comforter vs duvet: which one is better?

They are similar, but a comforter can play both roles as a covering blanket and a bedspread, making it more versatile than a duvet.  

A duvet is generally fluffier than a comforter and comes in white or cream colour, requiring a cover to protect it from stains and body oils.  

 Meanwhile, many comforters already have an attached cover which is both decorative and protective.   

Should I use a duvet cover with my comforter?

Yes, in fact, that is what we recommend. A duvet cover can improve the lifespan of a comforter and help to reduce washes.  

 A duvet cover is also a quick and affordable way to change up your bedroom decor whether you are putting it on a comforter or a duvet.   

Are down comforters better?

Down comforters are fluffier and offer a more luxurious feel. However, modern down alternatives can be as warm and pleasant to touch as down comforters.   

Quite often people who are allergic to down, concerned about the way feathers are collected, or simply do not want to pay too much for a blanket, will choose down-alternative comforters.    

What is a sham in a comforter set?

Shams are decorative pillowcases that are colour/style coordinated to match the comforter or a duvet cover. Those are rarely slept on and instead used to add a designer-like touch to a bedroom.   

What size comforter set should I choose?

Simply order a comforter that matches the size of your mattress. While it could sound like a good idea to order a larger size to let corners and sides drape over the bedframe, you would have to deal with unfitting pillow shams. (Example, ordering a king-size comforter set for a queen-size bed.)