What Is Down Alternative?
All you need to know about down alternative.
When browsing for a new comforter or a fresh set of pillows, there are plenty of materials to choose from. Down alternative is a great choice if you're looking for a warm and fluffy layer. Our guide covers all you need to know about down alternative, including the answer to the common question "what is down alternative?" and tips on choosing the right fill material for you.
What is Down Alternative?
Down alternative is designed to mimic the plush feel of down fill. Traditional down fill is made with the soft feathers from duck or goose underbellies. The lightweight feathers create a lofty fill and cloud-like appearance. Rather than duck or goose feathers, down alternative uses natural or synthetic fibres (like cotton, polyester, or microfibre) to recreate the same cozy warmth and featherlike feel. This makes down alternative ideal for comforters, duvet inserts, and pillows.
When choosing a new comforter, there are plenty of reasons why down alternative is an excellent option. We've outlined a few of the top benefits for picking down alternative.
Affordable
Because down alternative is most often made using cotton, polyester, or microfirer fill, these options are much more affordable than traditional down. Down-alternative comforters and duvet inserts come in several price points, so it's easy to find one that fits in any budget.
Hypoallergenic
Down alternative is naturally hypoallergenic and is unlikely to trap allergens. This makes down alternative great for those with allergies, whereas traditional down comforters and pillows can be more prone to trapping allergens like pollen.
Easy to Maintain
Down-alternative comforters and duvet inserts are easier to clean than ones made with traditional down. Many down items can only be dry-cleaned, while down-alternative items are machine- and dryer-safe. Down-alternative duvet inserts only need to be cleaned once or twice a year when you use a duvet cover.
Warmth
Like traditional down, down-alternative comforters and duvet inserts come in a variety of weights to suit the season or your sleeping style. Lightweight is ideal for the warmer months of the year or for hot sleepers. All-season works well in most temperatures, while extra-warm inserts are best for the winter or for cold sleepers.
Tip!
Check out our Duvet Buying Guide to learn more about fill power, thread count, and maintenance.
Down-Alternative Fill Material
Fill material is a key consideration when picking the right down-alternative comforter. Here are five of the most common fill materials and why each type could be a good fit for you.
Cotton: Cotton is light, breathable, and hypoallergenic, which makes it an excellent fill material. Because cotton isn't as thick as the other fill materials, it's best for hot sleepers or warmer months of the year.
Polyester: This synthetic fill material is lightweight, budget-friendly, and hypoallergenic.
Microfibre: As another synthetic fill material, microfibre is made from ultra-thin fibres to create a soft and pillowy fill.
Wool: With insulating properties, wool fill is heavy and incredibly warm. Though wool fill can be more expensive than other fill materials, it's great for chilly winter nights and can last for a long time.
Silk: Silk-filled comforters and duvet inserts are hypoallergenic and breathable. The silk fill provides plenty of temperature control, so it's ideal for both warm and cool temperatures.
Silk fill is the most expensive type of down alternative, but offers ultimate sleep luxury.
