We understand that buying a quilt is a big decision. There are many important factors to consider, such as the filling, the comfort and warmth it offers, if it is hypoallergenic, and, of course, the aesthetics of wanting your bed to look amazing.
Looking for the best quilt in Australia? When making the decision of what is the best type of quilt to buy, you should always take the climate into consideration. Do you experience mostly warm weather or colder nights? Or are you after a quilt that will keep you comfortably warm all year round?
The information below should help you to make the right quilt choice, allowing you to enjoy many years of healthy, restful sleep.
In Australia, the words ‘quilt, ‘doona’, ‘duvet’ and ‘comforter’ often mean the same thing. They’re used interchangeably to describe the thick blanket-like bed covering filled with down, feathers, wool, silk, cotton or synthetic material. You can, however, derive subtle differences from where the words are most popular.
A quilt is a warm bed covering. Lines of stitching hold the filling, such as down, feather, silk or wool, into place. While the word quilt is interchangeable for doona or duvet in Australia, other countries, such as the US, sometimes use the word quilt to refer to decorative patchwork bedding consisting of three layers of fabric and padding.
Doona is the quintessentially Australian word for ‘duvet’, ‘quilt’ and ‘comforter’. What began as a trademarked name became widely used to describe the bed cover filled with down, feathers, cotton, wool, silk or a synthetic material.
Much like a quilt, the word duvet is used to describe the soft, filled bedding cover with lines of stitching to secure the filling. While the word ‘duvet’ is French for ‘down’, these coverings can be filled with anything from silk to wool. This word is most often used in northern Europe, and less frequently in the UK, US and Australia.
What’s known as a ‘doona’ in Australian English is known as a ‘comforter’ in American English. Essentially, it’s a type of bedding made from fabric, such as cotton, encasing insulative materials such as down or feathers, stitched together to keep the filling well distributed.
In Australia, these words can generally be used interchangeably. However, in some cases, a quilt and comforter can be used to refer to the top layer of a bedding set that has a decorative design featured on the outer layer. In contrast, doonas and duvets are almost always white and require a quilt cover.
Down is the light and fluffy layer found underneath the feathers of waterfowl. Good quality down should be sourced from mature birds in Europe and Northern American regions, as geese from these areas have the highest fill power. The higher the fill power, the more loft and the fluffier the quilt.
With its unique characteristics, down will help improve your sleep experience – acting as a natural insulator to keep your body temperature even. Down is also well-known for its ability to draw excess moisture away from the body, preventing any excessive clamminess and sweating – ensuring you have a healthy night’s sleep.
The perfect down quilt should feel incredibly warm, toasty and cosy, yet light to sleep under, making it a product of pure luxury. The quilt should also be made in a baffle box design to prevent any down from shifting throughout the quilt and creating cold spots over time.
The down used in BeddingCo down quilts is totally natural, free from harmful chemicals, hypoallergenic, and ethically sourced. All impurities have been removed, making it a great solution for sleepers who suffer from allergies.
BeddingCo quilts are made in Germany and, if maintained properly, can be expected to last decades. They come with a five-year warranty.
Feather quilts are a cost-effective bedroom staple. Heavier, and not as soft as down and silk, if you prefer a more ‘tucked in’ feeling when you sleep, then a feathered quilt may be the perfect one for you.
A feather quilt will keep you warm throughout the night without you feeling overheated. This means your feather quilt will provide a comfortable, healthy and restful sleep throughout the seasons.
Feather quilts are also suitable for those who suffer from allergies. The feathers used have undergone a thorough process of examination to ensure they are free from impurities. BeddingCo feather quilts are filled with natural feathers to allow for a cosy, comfortable, and healthy night’s sleep.
Considered to be the healthiest choice of all bedding materials, organic mulberry silk is a luxurious, delicate, natural product, which helps to regulate body temperature. When sleeping with an organic mulberry silk quilt, the quilt tends to drape over you, contouring your body whilst you sleep. This prevents cold spots from forming during the night – maximising the comfort of your sleep.
Silk is remarkably comfortable and light, which will not leave you feeling suffocated, as can sometimes be the case with heavier types of quilts.
The perfect silk quilt will only be made from long strands of mulberry silk as it is completely natural silk. BeddingCo organic mulberry silk quilts are naturally hypoallergenic and are highly recommended for sleepers who suffer from allergies, as they are resistant to dust and mites. If maintained properly, organic mulberry silk quilts can be expected to last decades.
The best thing about wool quilts is they are natural and breathable. Wool is well known for its ability to regulate body temperature, ensuring you do not feel overly hot and sweaty, while also being able to draw moisture away from the body, keeping your body temperature regulated throughout the night.
Wool is also a natural source, making a wool quilt a great solution for those who suffer from allergies. Preventing bacteria, mould, dust mites, and other allergens from developing, a wool quilt will ensure you get a healthy night’s sleep.
Wool is easy to clean and maintain, as well as being durable and long-lasting.
So, how do they compare? Each quilt in our collection boasts unique remarkable qualities.
A goose down quilt in winter warmth is typically the warmest quilt for winter, but if you choose the all-seasons warmth variety, you’ll also be comfortable in the warmer months.
Goose feather quilts, on the other hand, may not be suitable for sub-zero temperatures but perform exceptionally well year-round.
Wool quilts are warm, naturally breathable and great at regulating body temperature. Our Australian wool quilts are a fantastic winter accessory.
And finally, mulberry silk quilts are both a luxurious choice and a healthy choice, as they’re naturally hypoallergenic. These quilts are great year-round, but particularly in the summer thanks to their inherent thermoregulating properties.
Whether you’re looking for the warmest doona for the cold winter months or the best lightweight summer doona, BeddingCo has you covered. We’ve listed our quilts by type, quilt warmth rating and temperature range.
| Quilt Types | Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating | Temperature Range |
|---|---|---|
| Quilt Types |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
Winter |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: -10°C to +15°C (800+ fill power or 15.0 TOG) |
|
Quilt Types
German Made Hungarian Goose Down Quilt | Winter Warmth Doona |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
Winter |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: -5°C to +15°C (700+ fill power or 15.0 TOG) |
|
Quilt Types
German Made Canadian Goose Down Quilt | All Seasons Warmth Doona |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
All Seasons |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: -2°C to +20°C (800+ fill power or 10.5 TOG) |
|
Quilt Types
German Made Hungarian Goose Down Quilt | All Seasons Warmth Doona |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
All Seasons |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: 0°C to +20°C (700+ fill power or 10.5 TOG) |
| Quilt Types |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
Winter |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: 0°C to +15°C (13.5 TOG or 550GSM) |
| Quilt Types |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
All Seasons |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: 5°C to +20°C (9.5 TOG or 500GSM) |
| Quilt Types |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
All Seasons |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: 10°C to +25°C (7.5 TOG or 300GSM) |
| Quilt Types |
Seasonal Quilt Warmth Rating
Summer |
Temperature Range
Temperature range: 15°C to +25°C (4.5 TOG or 200GSM) |
More than just comfort, quilts play a vital role in your quality of sleep. Choosing the best quilt for each season is essential to prevent you from tossing and turning due to the heat or cold. Here’s our seasonal guide to the best doona for you.
| Season | Quilt Type | Quilt Features |
|---|---|---|
|
Season
Winter |
Quilt Type
German Made Canadian Goose Down Quilt | Winter Warmth Doona OR German Made Hungarian Goose Down Quilt | Winter Warmth Doona |
Quilt Features
|
|
Season
Winter |
Quilt Type |
Quilt Features
|
|
Season
All seasons |
Quilt Type
German Made Canadian Goose Down Quilt | All Seasons Warmth Doona OR German Made Hungarian Goose Down Quilt | All Seasons Warmth Doona |
Quilt Features
|
|
Season
All seasons |
Quilt Type |
Quilt Features
|
|
Season
All seasons |
Quilt Type |
Quilt Features
|
|
Season
Summer |
Quilt Type |
Quilt Features
|
GSM stands for ‘Grams Per Square Metre’. It refers to the weight of the quilt filling. So, the higher the GSM of filling in the quilt, the warmer it is. Below are examples of GSM to help you decide the best quilt for your needs:
GSM applies to feather, wool and organic mulberry silk quilts. Down quilts are also measured in fill power.
What’s considered the best quilt is subjective and will come down to your needs based on location and home insulation as well as personal preference. Quilts made with high-quality materials are a good place to start, but considering how you want your quilt to perform year-round will also help you find the perfect fit.
Here’s a list of the best quilts for each season:
What is the warmest quilt for winter? Hungarian goose down quilts and Canadian goose down quilts (Winter warmth). They’re considered the warmest and best natural insulators.
One of the best summer quilts in Australia is the Organic Mulberry silk quilt (Summer warmth)
Hungarian goose down quilts and Canadian goose down quilts (All seasons warmth)
Loft refers to how fluffy the down quilt is. However, it’s important to note that it is not a measurement of the quilt’s actual warmth rating. For down quilts, the warmth is measured in fill power.
Fill power is the measurement of the quality of the down in a quilt. The higher the fill power, the fluffier the loft. This is also the ultimate indicator of the quilt’s warmth and quality.
Below are fill power examples to help you decide the best quilt for your needs:
In addition to fill power, fill weight is another indicator of a quilt’s warmth.
Below is an example of a Canadian (800+ fill power) goose down king size quilt’s ideal fill weight for each season:
TOG stands for Thermal Overall Grade. This is the measurement of the quilt’s ability to retain and trap heat. The higher the TOG value, the warmer you will be under your quilt. However, when searching for the perfect quilt, it’s important to keep in mind that TOG does not measure the quality of the quilt nor the weight of the quilt.
Generally, the higher the fill weight, the warmer the quilt.
Below are TOG value examples to help you choose the best quilt for your needs:
If you suffer from allergies, we’d highly recommend organic mulberry silk, Australian wool and down quilts. These quilts are made from the highest quality natural products and have undergone a thorough process of examination to ensure all impurities are removed. They are well-known throughout the bedding industry to be hypoallergenic and perfect for those who are a little sensitive. Sleeping with organic mulberry silk, Australian wool or down quilt will enhance your sleep experience, so you wake up fresh, healthy and well-rested.
It is believed the properties in organic mulberry silk can offer relief from rheumatism.
Below are the standard Australian sizes for quilts/doonas:
Some prefer to purchase a quilt that’s larger than the size of their mattress for an overhanging effect.
With normal use and regular care, a good quality quilt should ideally last for more than five years. To prolong the lifespan of your quilt, you should shake it on a daily basis so the filling remains evenly distributed. We always recommend carefully following the washing instructions as some quilts may specify ‘dry clean only’, some may allow machine wash, and others may only be ‘hand wash only’.
