8 Best Duvet Covers 2022 | UK Interior Designer Reviewed

1. Best overall - John Lewis & Partners, Soft & Silky Egyptian Cotton
2. Best known for its low maintenance - Skinnydip, Dominica Duvet Cover Set
3. Best for its smooth texture - John Lewis & Partners, Crisp and Fresh Egyptian Cotton Bedding
4. Best for its look - John Lewis & Partners, Helmsley Duvet Cover Set

For a more in-depth look at the comprehensive top 8 selection, make sure to read on to learn more about the different types of duvet covers available and understand how our ranking was determined.

This article's chosen EC site price listings are reflective of its publishing date.

1. Check if Your Bed Size to Make Sure Your Sheets Fit
2. Decide Which Material Is Best for Your Skin
3. Use Thread Count to Measure the Quality of the Sheets

Not sure which size to look for? Allow us to break it down for you. There are four main categories of bed sizes: single, double, king, and super king. In terms of measurements, single beds are 92 x 188cm and double beds are 138 x 188cm. A king-size bed is 183 x 203cm and super king-size is 203 x 203cm.

Duvet covers aren't typically measured in cm as they're a little bigger than the bed itself. So, knowing the name of your mattress size will help you to determine which duvet cover will fit it comfortably.

For extra comfort while sleeping, why not consider a memory foam pillow to help support your head?

Duvet covers made from 100% cotton feel soft and luxurious, hence why they're typically found in 5-star hotels. Woven with multiple threads, they're thick and durable too - so you can wash them regularly without worrying about them fraying or losing their shape. 

Cotton is also suitable for all types of weather, providing warm insulation in winter but keeping you cool in summer which will save you the hassle of having to buy different duvet covers for each season. This type of high-quality cover will tend to set you back a little more than other materials but is a worthwhile investment. Cotton is breathable and hypoallergenic. We all sweat at night. 

Cotton fibres can absorb up to 1/5 of their weight before the cotton feels moist. Cotton absorbs body moisture which evaporates into the surrounding air. 100% cotton helps resist allergens because it is naturally hypoallergenic. Synthetic fibres, by contrast, can irritate sensitive skin because of the chemicals and processes used in their manufacture.

If you're after something that's similar to cotton but a bit cheaper, try polyester or a polycotton blend. Both feel soft and smooth, and most importantly they hardly ever crease so you won't need to get the iron out after washing your cover.

However, while these materials are easy to care for and don't require much maintenance, they can pill after being washed over and over again, causing little bobbles of fabric to appear on the surface. 

People with allergies or sensitive skin often find that polycotton or polyester makes them itch. This is due to the synthetic fibres in the materials, which contribute to the lack of airflow through polycotton or polyester sheets.

Silk is a beautiful material with a glossy finish. Made naturally with the help of silkworms, a silk cover will be more expensive than other materials but is smoother than even the finest cotton and feels amazing on your skin. It also has the ability to retain heat or cool you down, depending on the air temperature.

Furthermore, as silk is hypoallergenic, it'll repel dust, mites, moisture, and any other allergens that could provoke night-time sneezing episodes! If you suffer from allergies, we definitely recommend opting for a silk duvet cover so you can fully relax at bedtime.

If you can't get enough of the feel of silk on your skin, take a look at some silk pillowcases!

Generally, the more threads that are used, the better quality a duvet cover is. While a cover with a higher thread count is thick and durable, it doesn't always mean that it'll give you an amazing night's sleep. During winter, it'll provide good insulation but on a hot summer night, you'll probably want to go for a cover with a lower thread count - these are lighter and more breathable. 

A standard duvet cover will have a thread count of around 200-300 and will feel pretty soft. Meanwhile, a cover with a thread count as high as 800 will be incredibly soft and durable, basically the comfiest you can get. Covers with higher thread counts also, understandably, tend to be more expensive. 

The optimum thread count for luxurious bedding is generally regarded as between the 300-400 range however, even 200-thread count linen can also be incredibly comfortable due to its finish and fabric quality.

This ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

This is a matter of personal preference, though 2-3 should be sufficient for most households as you’ll likely have one on the bed, one in the wash and another just in case. But if you like to change the bedding according to how you feel or the season then having more certainly isn’t a problem either!

You should absolutely wash your bedding before using it because they have been packaged straight from their respective factories. While we can assume are kept as clean as possible, it’s not impossible for dust and the chemical smell of a factory to linger on the material - and freshly-washed sheets feel better anyway!

On the understanding that you are sleeping with your duvet every night, you should be washing your duvet cover once a week. It can be a laborious task, but there is a whole microscopic world hidden between the fibres which harbour dead skin cells and dust mites that can trigger allergies and cause skin breakouts.

Written and researched by Annie Speight

Our ranking has been compiled by the writing team at mybest UK via careful evaluation of the points made in the buying guide and thorough research of each product and comparing multiple verified customer reviews across the EC sites used.

We partner with specialists across various fields to proof-read our buying guides to deliver accurate and reliable information. Our specialists do not endorse any products that we recommend.