Duvet Tog Guide

A good night’s sleep depends on many things — some we can control and some we can’t. You have your bedtime routine down, your space is clean and neat, and the bed of your dreams is right there. But how much thought have you given to your duvet besides its pretty cover?

What's a tog?

Tog is a measure of a duvet’s thermal insulation. Tog ratings indicate the degree to which a duvet retains heat. The higher the tog rating, the better the heat retention and the warmer it’ll keep you throughout the night. Here’s a general breakdown:

• Low tog rating (1.0 to 4.5): Good for summer or warmer climates.

• Medium tog rating (7.5 to 10.5): Perfect for spring or fall.

• High tog rating (12.0 to 15.0): Best for winter or colder climates.

How are duvet togs measured?

Different processes can be used depending on the duvet's filling. But basically, the tog rating is determined by a testing method where heat is applied to one side and measured across to the other at multiple points.

Does a thicker duvet mean it's warmer?

Duvet thickness doesn't always equate with warmth because synthetic fillings often need more material to match the insulation of a down duvet. This results in heavier duvets with the same tog rating as lighter, natural-filled ones. Basically, thicker doesn't always mean warmer.

Difference between tog rating and duvet weight?

A duvet’s tog rating and weight are two different things, but both are important when finding the best one for your personal level of comfort. You’ll often see something called a "fill weight". This is the weight of whatever’s filling that duvet, measured in GSM, The weight of the filling within a square meter. The higher the number, the thicker the duvet.

Why are some duvets measured by weight?

There are some duvets that just can’t be measured by tog, So all you can go on is the weight. For example: silk duvets are measured using weight (grams of silk per square meter) — the heavier the duvet, the more likely it is to keep you warmer.

Do babies need a duvet?

It’s not safe for babies younger than 12 months to use duvets, so always stick to lightweight baby blankets and baby sleeping bags — you’ll find endless options for both in our nursery and baby bedding sections.

Duvet Fillings

All the duvet fillings you’ll come across come in one of two categories: natural and synthetic fibers. They each have their pros and cons, so it's all about your personal preference.

Natural Duvet Fillings

Duck feathers and down tend to be the most common natural duvet fillings. Why? They’re great insulating fibers that keep you warm in cold weather and cool in the heat, while also letting your skin breathe. A big plus: these natural fibers are often longer lasting and more durable than synthetics. Note that natural fiber duvets typically have higher price tags, and some people have sensitivities, allergies or lifestyles that don’t work with feather and down duvets.

Synthetic Duvet Fillings

Synthetic duvets can be made from hollow fibers and microfibers. The difference: hollow fibers are thicker and tend to trap heat more easily, while microfibers are much finer, softer and lighter like a natural duvet filling. There are several benefits to synthetic duvet fillings: First and foremost, they’re usually much better for allergy suffers because they’re less likely to trigger and exacerbate issues. Second, synthetic duvets are generally easier to wash and quicker to dry.

Types Of Duvets: Tog value by season

Wondering exactly what tog you want for each season? Let’s break it down.

• All Seasons: 10.5

• Winter: 12, 13.5 and 15

• Spring/Fall: 7 to 10.5

• Summer: 1 to 4.5

What duvet tog should I get?

Duvet tog depends on the season, climate, your bed size and your personal preference. However, the best, most versatile all-year coverage is a 10.5 tog.

Whats the best winter duvet?

The best duvet to keep the winter chill away is a 13.5 tog. It should keep you toasty overnight when the temperatures drop, without trapping so much heat that it’s hard to sleep.

Is a 10.5 or 13.5 tog better for winter?

A 10.5 tog is classed as an all-year duvet option, so 13.5 is a cozier pick. However, the right tog value for you depends on the temperature of the room you’re sleeping in and how warm you like to feel.

When should I switch to a winter duvet?

Consider where you live and the general climate (sweltering all year? No need for higher togs). You should switch to a winter duvet when it starts to get really cold. But there’s no hard and fast rule, so pay attention to the changing weather and your overnight comfort levels.

Caring for your duvet

For natural-filled duvets, taking it to a professional cleaner is the best idea: they need enough space to be cleaned correctly and can take longer to dry than their synthetic cousins. Have a synthetic-filled duvet? Chuck it into your washing machine on a gentle, warm water cycle and hang it outside on a sunny day to dry. It’s recommended you wash your duvet every 6–12 months.

What do I do with my old duvets?

You can put them into a clothes recycling bin where they’ll end up going to a charity. Another option: donate them somewhere like The Salvation Army, or offer old duvets to animal shelters.

Do duvets lose their tog value?

Yes, if a duvet’s filling starts to lose its fluffiness, it can be less effective at keeping you warm.

How often should you change your duvet?

General recommendations are that you change your duvet every five years.