Down Comforter Sets - How to Choose One

A good quality down comforter sets would keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. It also has to be light weight, allergy free, and the most important factor, make a cozy, inviting bed. There are many kinds of down comforters to choose from, and they are not created equal. Keep in mind that price point is determined by the down’s quality, not by its weight.

What should you be aware of when shopping for down comforter sets? There are three key factors to look for when choosing a down comforter. They are Fill Power, Thread Count and Baffle Box Constructions.

Fill Power

Fill power is a measurement of the fluffiness (loft) of the down, it is expressed as number of cubic inches that one ounce of down will occupy (in³/oz). The higher the fill power the better the insulating ability and loft a down comforter has. So basically, the higher the number equals the better the quality of the down. Here is the breakdown: a lofting power of 400 to 450 is rated as medium quality, 500 to 550 is good, 550 to 750 (Hungarian goose for example) is considered very good, and 750 plus is excellent.

Are you wondering how Fill Power is measured? You take one ounce of down and compress it. When released, the down will expand and fill up a certain amount of space (in³) and we call that “Fill Power”.

Thread Count

What is thread count? Thread count represents the amount of threads woven per square inch of fabric. Usually, thread counts start at 200 threads per inch and go up. The higher the tread count, the lighter and more breathable the fabric becomes, the softer it is to the touch, and more durable the comforter is. Higher thread counts also prevent impurities from getting in and keep the fill from getting out. Always be sure to have a thread count of at least 220 or above when you buy a down comforter.

Baffle Box Constructions

Baffle box construction, or baffling is just a type of down comforter structure that has a vertical wall of fabric connecting the upper and lower parts of the shell. It helps to keep the down from shifting over time which causes the uncomfortable lumps and hot, cold spots. Keep in mind that not all down comforters are made with baffling, so look for this feature. You will be able to distinguish a baffled comforter by looking for wording such as "baffled boxes" or "baffle construction".

If you are concerned about humane treatment of the birds (geese, ducks…), then avoid any down that has been "live plucked”. Live plucking is the practice of plucking down from a live bird that occurs in some countries (China, Poland, and Hungary). Live plucked down is sometimes labeled "hand harvested." Also, when choosing your down comforter check closely at the warranty. More so than usual, this tells you a lot about the product's quality. Warranties usually cover from a year to a lifetime.

You can buy down comforters at many Department Stores: Bed Bath and Beyond, Linens and Things, Macys, Kohls, SAMS Club... You could also get them online which is usually cheaper than local stores. You spend a third of your life in bed, why not make it as comfortable as possible by choosing a quality goose down comforter sets.

We also recommend that you should buy a duvet cover for your new luxury down comforter. Duvet is the name of the comforters without a cover. A duvet cover is just like a large "pillowcase" which protect comforter from becoming dirty from body oils or dirt. The cover can be machine washed at home, therefore, it would save you the cost of dry cleaning your down comforter.