The ideal summer duvet for a cool and comfortable night’s sleep

Stop yourself from overheating with a summer duvet.

A leg sticking out of the bottom of a summer duvet

by Rosie Floyd |
Updated on

You need to get your hands on a summer duvet if you find it challenging to sleep in hot weather. There’s nothing worse than when you’re tired - but you’re too hot and bothered to sleep. No matter how much tossing and turning you do, getting comfortable will always be difficult if you’re overheating. That's where the best duvet for hot nights comes in.

You’ll know when to swap to a summer duvet by simply looking at the weather outside. We usually experience our first spell of warmer weather towards the end of April, so that’s usually a good time. As a general rule, if we are experiencing warmer days than cooler days, that’s usually the best indication to start changing over your winter bedding in favour of a summer duvet. If you are somebody who doesn't know how to sleep in hot weather or gets hot while you sleep, no matter what the temperature outside, you may want to consider permanently switching to a summer duvet all year round for a comfortable night’s sleep. Another option could be a cooling duvet too.

Best summer duvet at a glance:

Best lightweight summer duvet: Night Comfort Anti-Allergy Summer Cool Duvet - Buy now on Amazon UK
Best cotton summer duvet: Marks + Spencer Comfortably Cool 1 Tog Duvet - Buy now on Marks & Spencer's
Best feather summer duvet: John Lewis Natural Collection Hungarian Goose Down Duvet - Buy now on John Lewis

Before you drift off to the land of nod, your body’s core temperature needs to decrease slightly to allow that to happen. The optimal sleep temperature is between 16 to 21°c, which can be difficult to achieve during the height of summer. How hot you get when you’re trying to sleep will impact what tog of duvet you require. The lower the tog, the cooler the duvet. Summer duvets start around the 4.5 tog mark and can get as low as one tog.

To help you choose a duvet for those hot and sweaty nights, we’ve put together a list of duvets that will help you have a better night’s sleep in the summer. They all vary in tog and material, so you can find the one that is best suited to your requirements. From feather duvets to cotton, whichever one you choose, a summer duvet will help you sleep better and, most importantly, stay cool.

Best summer duvet

Best lightweight summer duvet

This 1.5 tog summer duvet is made from 220 high thread count microfibre. As well as being designed to cool your body as you sleep, the fibres in this lightweight duvet are hypoallergenic to help those suffering from allergies.

Review: “I keep my summer duvet on all year round as I do overheat at night. I have never seen a 1.5 tog in the shops. I put it on the bed for the first time yesterday. It feels very comfortable and soft. I certainly didn't need to throw the duvet off as much as normal. Highly recommended”.

Pros

  • Made from 220 high thread count microfibre
  • Designed to cool your body as you sleep
  • Hypoallergenic fibres

Cons

  • Material may not be as breathable as natural fibres
Tog: 1.5 1.5
Material: Microfibre
Weight: 1.05kg

Best blanket-style duvet

The summer duvet doubles as a blanket, so you don’t necessarily need to put any bedding over the top of it. It has cooling fibres that keep the duvet feeling cool and silky, which will help keep your body comfortably cool throughout the night.

Review: “I really like the material. It's smooth and cool. You can feel the coolness when touching the inner side, which is pretty amazing, in my opinion. It's also very lightweight, which means that I can still hold on to my duvet/cooling blanket in hot weather. I didn't put any duvet cover as the material looks fine and doesn't just look like a white duvet. I suppose you could use a duvet cover though if you wished to. It's also easy to clean as well (I put it in the washing machine) and didn't take significantly longer than other clothes to dry.”

Pros

  • Doubles as a blanket
  • Features cooling fibres for a comfortable sleep
  • Unique design and feel

Cons

  • May not be as full feeling as other duvets
Tog: 4.5
Material: 100 per cent cotton
Weight: 180g

Best budget summer duvet

The Silentnight summer duvet is lightweight and breathable, so it doesn’t feel too heavy or restrictive. The microfibre cover helps wick away sweat, making it a great choice if you suffer from overheating.

Review: “I love everything about this duvet. It’s not only perfect for summer, but also a Godsend for menopausal women, like myself, in the winter!! Reasonably priced and well made – I highly recommend.”

Pros

  • Lightweight and breathable design
  • Microfibre cover helps wick away sweat
  • Known brand with a reputation for quality

Cons

  • Material may not be as breathable as natural fibres
Tog: 4.5
Material: Recycled fibres
Weight1.06kg

Best durable summer duvet

With its blend of fabrics, this summer duvet provides the softness of cotton with the long-lasting durability of polyester. If you’ve had a particularly sweaty night’s sleep, this summer duvet can be machine-washed to maintain its freshness.

Review: “Best quilt I’ve had. It’s great as it lets your body breathe while to keeps you warm – like a blanket or cotton sheet. I don’t use a synthetic duvet cover as it would defeat the purpose – cool cotton is always best.”

Pros

  • Blend of cotton and polyester
  • Suitable for sweaty nights
  • Deluxe feel

Cons

  • Blend might not offer the breathability of pure cotton
Tog:1.5
Material: 50 per cent cotton
Weight: 1.1kg

Best cotton summer duvet

This Marks & Spencer duvet will help to keep you comfortable on those hot summer nights. It has climate control technology to help regulate your temperature as you sleep. The cotton will also help to keep you cool.

**Review: “**Duvets with higher togs are too warm for me, so I find that this is a perfect tog even in cold weather. I just add a throw over the top in winter and then as the weather gets warmer, it’s good just on its own. The cotton outer helps keep you cool in warmer weather while the recycled polyester filling keeps you warm on colder nights.”

Pros

  • Features climate control technology
  • Made of breathable cotton
  • Trusted brand with a reputation for quality

Cons

  • 1 tog might be too light for some
Tog: 1
Material: Cotton

Best full looking summer duvet

Foggarty
Price: £20 - £32

www.dunelm.com

This 1 tog duvet is a great alternative to just a flat sheet to keep you cool in the summer. It has a hollow fibre filling to give it a full look and feel without being too thick and hot.

Review: “Excellent duvet. I needed something heavier than just a flat sheet, so this is ideal. It states 1 tog and I believe it IS a 1 tog.”

Pros

  • Offers a full look and feel without being overly thick
  • Hollow fibre filling provides comfort

Cons

  • 1 tog might be too light depending on preference
Tog: 1
Material Polyester

Best feather-filled summer duvet

If you’re looking for a summer duvet that feels full and luxurious, this John Lewis & Partners duvet is ideal. It is filled with Hungarian goose feathers, so it is super soft and comforting, while the 2.5 tog ensures it is thin enough for a cooling night’s sleep.

Review: “This duvet is excellent quality and really well manufactured. We bought it for the summer months, especially for when you wake up during the night and feel like you need to grab the duvet and pull it over your shoulders. So far it has been great.”

Pros

  • Luxurious feel with Hungarian goose feather filling.
  • Feathers are known for their softness and comfort.
  • Natural fibres are more breathable

Cons

  • Feather filling might cause allergies for some
Tog2.5
Material Cotton

Best soft-to-touch summer duvet

You can be sure to have a blissful night’s sleep when it’s warm and humid outside with this summer duvet. It has a soft touch cover to give you a cosy feeling, while the fibre filling is designed to keep you cool.

Review: “My son said it’s the best duvet he's ever had. He sweats a lot when he sleeps, but this has surely helped to regulate his temperature.”

Pros

  • Soft touch cover
  • Fibre filling designed for summer use.
  • 4.5 tog makes it good for spring and Autumn too

Cons

  • 4.5 tog could be too hot for some
Tog: 4.5
Material: Microfibre

Best hybrid summer duvet

The Simba Hybrid 3-in-1 Duvet is super versatile for summer and winter thanks to it having a choice of a 3.5 tog summer duvet and a 7 tog duvet for spring and autumn. You can then combine both layers for an ultra-warm 10.5 tog winter duvet. It also has superior airflow and moisture balance, so you can have the most comfortable and restorative night’s sleep - whatever the weather.

Our review: "When it comes to summer, I find it tricky to get comfortable with a duvet and then as with the typical British weather one minute is tropical temperatures the next it's freezing and raining and I'm scrambling for warmth. I've so far only tested the 3.5 tog part of the duvet and it feels light yet comforting and so I know when it gets inevitably colder switching to the 7 tog or combining them both will be ideal."

Pros

  • Versatile with a 3.5 tog summer duvet and a 7 tog for spring/autumn.
  • Can combine both for varying temperatures.
  • Tried and tested

Cons

  • Hybrid design might not be as breathable as natural duvets
Tog: 3.5, 7 and 10.5 tog when combined
Material: Filling: 80% Simba Renew (Polyester) / 20% Modal. Cover top: 100% Better Cotton with Stratos® finish. Cover bottom: 55% Better Cotton / 45% Modal

Best premium cotton summer duvet

DUSK Light Cotton 2.5 Tog Duvet
Price: £30 (was £70)

dusk.com

Made from 100 per cent pure cotton with a 180-thread count, this is a fabulous option for someone looking for a luxurious and super soft duvet without the use of feathers. It is incredibly lightweight and breathable - it's everything you could want from a summer duvet.

Review: “I love this lightweight duvet. I always get too hot when I use even a low tog goose down duvet, and I can now sleep comfortably with this much lighter cotton version. It’s also extremely good quality.”

Pros

  • Made from pure cotton with a 180-thread count.
  • Luxurious and super soft
  • On sale right now

Cons

  • 2.5 tog might not be suitable for the hottest nights
Tog: 2.5
Material: 100 per cent cotton

Summer duvets FAQs

What is a summer duvet?

A summer duvet is a type of bedding specifically designed for warmer months. It is typically lighter in weight and has a lower tog rating, ensuring that you stay cool and comfortable during hot nights. If your house stays warm year-round or you overheat when sleeping, they are good for that too.

What is a tog rating?

A tog rating measures the duvet's thermal insulation. The higher the tog rating, the warmer the duvet. For summer, it's recommended to choose a duvet with a tog rating between 1.0 and 4.5.

What materials are summer duvets made of?

Summer duvets can be made from various materials, including cotton, synthetic fibres, and down. Natural materials like cotton are breathable and can help regulate body temperature, making them popular choices for summer bedding. You can also choose cotton or linen duvet covers too to make it more breathable.

Rosie Floyd is a Pets, Homes and Garden Product Writer for Yours, specialising in home appliances, décor and furnishings, as well as all things dogs. After completing her Journalism & Media degree from Coventry University back in 2015, she started her career writing about must-visit holiday destinations, moving on to creating content around outdoor living and garden buildings, before joining the team at Bauer.

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