The Best Quilts, Doonas and Duvets in Australia for 2022
Or how to make your bed so cosy you'll never want to leave.
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In this guide
If you get a solid 7 hours of sleep every night, that's over 2,500 hours of sleep every single year. If you're going to spend 2,500 hours doing something, you want to be comfortable doing it. That's where the humble doona comes in. In this guide, we give you the lowdown on how to get an Instagram-worthy bed that feels just as snug as it looks.
The best duvet, doona or quilt is warm, breathable, and above all, cosy as hell. It complements your electric blanket in winter, and keeps you warm (but dry) on cool summer nights. There are all kinds of quilts: vegan, eco-friendly, machine washable, low allergen... While there are many options, the ideal doona should be versatile enough so that you and your co-sleeper are equally snug.
Before we get started, a quick note on terminology. In theory, a quilt is a series of fabric layers stitched together, usually decoratively. A doona or a duvet is a big blanket filled with fibre, down, silk, or wool, and goes inside a duvet or doona cover. But in practice, most Australian stores count doonas, duvets, and quilts as the same thing. We've used the terms here interchangeably, but you can make up your own mind. This is what we found on our quest for the top doona. Or quilt. Or duvet…
How we picked
To decide which was the top doona, quilt, or duvet in Australia, we began with ProductReview.com.au. Usually we would start with Australian and New Zealand consumer advocacy groups, CHOICE or Consumer, but they don't review these products. Doonas are a matter of personal preference, so it was important to us to find out what real Aussies thought.
There were a number of highly-rated duvets on ProductReview.com.au, so we picked those that had the highest ratings (3.7 or over) over the highest number of reviews. This left us with a selection of around 10 quilts. After reading what consumers thought, we culled these back to around 5 doonas. Those that didn't make the cut either had mixed reviews, or didn't offer good value for money.
While the 5 we had were top-notch duvets, we felt that there should also be a silk or bamboo option on the list for those who like a thinner quilt. Heading back to ProductReview.com.au, we found two with 5-star reviews, and checked product websites to make an informed decision. One quilt impressed us more than the other. Returning to the list, we felt that we needed a final puzzle piece: a budget pick.
When you want a good quality product that has been well-designed, there's only one place to look: IKEA. IKEA products often fly below the ProductReview.com.au radar, so we checked their duvets to see if any stood out. One product had an impressive 4.5 stars over 40 reviews. We know that reviews on a product's website can be skewed, but the quilt that came on top is one we already own. Having done our own independent testing, we decided it was a fair pick.
Related: The best mattresses
The best quilt for most
Move over, Donna Hay banana bread (or should that be 'Doona Hay?'). The most comforting crowd-pleaser isn't home baking. It's a Microcloud quilt. Australians overwhelmingly picked this doona as their favourite - and it's not hard to see why. Soft, machine washable, hypoallergenic, and luxurious; if it's good enough for the Sheratons and Shangri-Las of Australia, chances are it's good enough for your house, too.
The Microcloud Quilt ticks all the boxes and more. Consumers love how lightweight and warm it is, although some note that it isn't the cloud-like feeling you get from duck down. This breathable duvet keeps you cool in summer and warm in winter, and is suitable for sensitive folks with an Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification. This is a global standard that certifies a fabric to be free from harmful levels of over 100 unhealthy substances.
With high thread-count Japara cotton, Microcloud Quilts are filled with a fibre that doesn't clump over time. It's cruelty-free, without animal contaminants or feathers, and is treated to be anti-microbial and resistant to dust mites. Customers also like that it’s made in Australia, and has a 3-year warranty. Impressively, these quilts were the second-cheapest on our list. Accessorize your Microcloud quilt with waffle-weave linen and a capsule wardrobe flatlay… voila! Insta-worthy bedroom vibes faster than you can say 'avocado toast..'
The best quilt for winter
The Downia Gold Goose Down duvet has to be the warmest quilt you'll find in Australia. Like the Microcloud, it comes with Oeko-Tex certification, and its 330 thread count cotton makes for a soft snooze. This is the Ferrari of all doonas. It may not be Italian, but it’s well-designed and good-looking with Maxi-loft outer walls and decorative gold piping. Consumers loved that it didn't make a crinkly noise when they moved around at night, which is an important consideration for light sleepers.
This Downia duvet gets its warmth from goose down. Goose down has a reputation for incredible insulation, which is why many winter jackets are filled with the stuff. 85% of the filling is white goose down, with the other 15% being goose feather. A goose down duvet will absolutely keep you snug, but the animal products mean it's not an ideal quilt for your vegan mates.
The cost is one of the Downia Gold Goose Down duvet's biggest downsides. Starting from around $500, it's the priciest on our list, but sales on these bad boys are easy to come by. What's more, the 10-year warranty means you should see value for money. It may not be worth splashing the cash if you live in Brisbane or Cairns, but folks in Hobart and Melbourne will benefit most from heavy-duty bedding like this.
The best supporting local
If you're the kind of person who loves your local organic food co-op, the MiniJumbuk Everyday is the best wool quilt for you. These wool duvets are 100% Australian made, and the natural fibre breathes to regulate sleeping temperature no matter the season. MiniJumbuk also reckon they're made using Airlight Technology, which is a process applied to their wool fibre to improve insulation.
While a natural fibre is better for the environment, it comes with its own quirks. More than a few people complained about the barnyard smell of their MiniJumbuk woolen doonas, but this is easily solved with a bit of airing. Another issue was the wool piling up on the sides. Wool shrinks in the wash, too, so this isn't the best for bed-wetters. Wool quilts are on the heavier side, but given the popularity of weighted blankets, this could be a bonus for you.
The MiniJumbuk Everyday quilt is also a low-allergy product, so it's suitable for those with dust mite allergies or asthma. As a fibre, wool has some impressive stats: it repels static, dirt, and dust, is flame resistant, and hard-wearing. It's also a renewable resource that is 100% natural and biodegradable, so if you're looking for an environmentally-friendly option, the MiniJumbuk is the quilt for the job.
The best value quilt
If the IKEA SMÅSPORRE was a drink, it would be a Milo with an extra spoonful thwacked in when no-one was looking. It's cool in summer, and warm in winter, and at $59, it's a simple pleasure you don't need to smash the piggy bank for. That's why it's our pick for the top budget doona. Of course, if you're spending this much, you can't expect the feeling of goose down. But unlike a natural product, it doesn't mind a spin in the washing machine, and it's cruelty-free.
The IKEA SMÅSPORRE quilt has an impressive number of rave reviews. Unlike the other duvets on this list, the SMÅSPORRE is made up of 2 separate doonas - one warmer and one cooler - so it works no matter your heat preference. Having used this duvet in Melbourne from late summer to winter, we can confirm that the two quilts don't come apart inside the doona cover. We can also confirm that this doona is breathable, warm, and lightweight, making it serious value for money.
The IKEA SMÅSPORRE doona will work in any Australian home. There isn't much that can go wrong with this quilt, and in the reviews, the sole complaints were the awkward size (200x200cm). Solution: buy an awkwardly-sized IKEA doona cover while you're at IKEA buying your awkwardly-sized doona. It's also machine-washable at 60 degrees, which will kill dust mites, and is made of polyester and cotton. You can see why so many of us love this quilt, especially at this price.
The best quilt for hot sleepers
If you're sick of sweltering under stuffy covers, the Ecosa Silk Quilt is our pick for the best doona for hot sleepers. Think it looks thin? The Ecosa quilt works because it uses the natural thermoregulating properties of silk to keep you snug as, uh… a silkworm. The community-minded will also be pleased to hear that this Australian mattress company donates their returned mattresses to the Salvation Army.
But back to the Ecosa Silk Quilt. This version is the thinnest variety, so if your co-sleeper is happiest when hogging the blankets, you might want to grab an all-seasons version too. The thinner and thicker quilts are designed to be layered together for Tassie-level cold, but you'll pay top dollar for the bundle. The outer is cotton, and the inner is silk. Of course, the silk situation means that this quilt isn't the best choice for vegans.
While these Ecosa Silk Quilts are luxury dot com, they aren't the best for clean freaks. Ecosa recommends you use a duvet cover with your quilt, as they really don't enjoy water. They will tolerate careful spot-washing if there's a spill, but the washing machine is out of the question. Even so, many Australians thought this a small compromise for a cool night's sleep.
The best quilt for summer
The Kelly & Windsor Alpaca Classic 300 quilt has got warm climate wool-lovers covered. It's also one of the best quilts for hot sleepers, too, as it's a mid-weight doona designed for year-round comfort. You can feel good about supporting an Aussie company, too. The Classic 300 quilt is made right here in Australia, from a high-quality blend of alpaca and downs wool.
With a 5-year guarantee, this Kelly & Windsor Alpaca Classic doona boasts the benefits of wool without the weight or the sheep-y smell. That means it's biodegradable, chemical-free, and non-allergenic. Reviewers loved that the quilt regulated body temperature well, although it's only designed to be dry-cleaned. This could be a dealbreaker for you.
The '300' in the Kelly & Windsor Alpaca Classic 300 refers to the 300 grams of fleece and fibre that they pack into every square meter of quilt. The filling is internally stitched, and the reviews show Australians love how luxurious this quilt feels. There's a 300 in the cover as well: 300 thread count cotton sateen. The satin binding makes it feel extra-opulent. But you won't pay goose down prices for this quilt. If you're lucky, you'll find it on sale, also for (under) $300.
The best quilt for allergy sufferers
The Halcyon Dreams The Soother is the best wool quilt for asthma and allergy-prone people. Wool is a good choice for allergy-sufferers. This is because wool's lanolin is antibacterial, acting as a dust mite repellant. It also wicks moisture away from your body, making for a warmer sleep. However, wool fares poorly in the washing machine. This presents a problem if you like to wash your bedding frequently, as allergy-sufferers often do.
The Halcyon Dreams The Soother quilt is unlike other wool quilts in that it's machine-washable. It's Australian made and comes in a cheaper dry-clean only option, too. The machine-washable wool is pre-shrunk and treated to prevent further shrinkage. Because you can fang it in the wash, this doona is a great option for both the spill-prone and the very young. But its durability doesn't make for a scratchy situation - the cotton sateen cover on this Halcyon Dreams doona boasts the highest thread count on our list at 400.
You can only buy Halcyon Dreams' quilts direct from the company themselves. But this Australian-owned company offers a 100% money back guarantee and a 5-year warranty. Because you aren't paying David Jones or Myer overheads, Halcyon Dreams' quilts reflect greater value. This was clear from the 5-star reviews Aussies gave their The Soother quilts.
Features to consider
You'd be mistaken if you thought all quilts were created equal. Here are some considerations that stood out across our research.
Climate
If you live in one of Brisbane's leafy suburbs, but your parents live on a farm in the depths of South Australia, you'll probably want different quilts.
Allergies
Wake up sniffling every morning? Dust mites could be to blame. Allergy-sufferers have two options: pick a synthetic quilt you can machine wash at 60 degrees, or a wool quilt with antibacterial properties.
Your co-sleeper
When you and your co-sleeper have different temperature preferences, it's worth buying a doona together so you don't get an earful when they wake up sweating or shivering.
Machine washability
Some of us are more accident-prone than others. Not all duvets are designed to handle spills or accidents, so it's important to check how easy your doona is to wash.
Price
The cheapest quilt on our list is 14 times less expensive than the priciest, but you're unlikely to get a natural fibre quilt for under $200.
Ethics
Many quilts contain animal products, and some are produced more sustainably than others. Buying an Australian-made quilt likely means a lower carbon footprint, but it probably won't be vegan.
Quilt, doona or duvet
The Australian market doesn't observe the differences between quilts and doonas. This becomes tricky when shopping for a 'true' continental quilt, as labeling is inconsistent. All products on our list could go inside a duvet cover, but if you just need a quilt as an added layer, you'll get away with a less heavy-duty option.
Related: The Best Electric Blanket
What you get if you spend more
Most of our picks were priced between $300 and $400, but there were higher-end options out there. This is what you can look forward to if you're prepared to splash the cash.
Type of filling
Wool duvets cost more than synthetic fiber doonas, but goose down and duck down doonas are the most expensive, hands-down.
Thread count
The pricier products on our list generally had covers with high thread counts. This doesn't matter much if you're going to put a doona cover over it anyway.
Prestige
The duvet market is flush with quality products and posh brands. It may not be worth spending more than $500 unless you're looking for exclusive bragging rights in the leafy suburbs.
Related: The Best Sheets
Sources
- 'Best Quilts, Duvets & Doonas', Product Review
- 'Why I Am Wild for Wool', Allergy Store