The Best Summer Comforters to Keep You Cool

Summer bedding isn’t just about breathable linens. People are actually using comforters, and it’s not because their summers are too cold, but because comforters are just darn right comfortable. 

To a lot of people, putting together the warm season and a comforter may seem a little odd, especially since comforters have always been advertised as thick, fluffy and cozy blankets that are just perfect for winter use. Since people love comforters so much, bringing them options for summer use seems like a wise production move. With that in mind, let’s explore some of the best options in terms of comforters for warmer seasons, with the promise that there’s a little something in here for everyone.

The Best Summer Comforters

Choosing a Summer Comforter

Those of you looking to create the best possible bedroom ambience should know that it’s not just about lights and temperature: it’s also about the bedding items you choose. We’ve seen people spend hundreds of dollars on silk sheets that they simply couldn’t get used to, because being compatible with a certain fabric is a matter of personal preference.

As far as linens are concerned, you probably don’t want to go with fleece or flannel. They might be comfortable, but neither of them are breathable enough to help you get rid of night sweats. When it comes to comforters, it seems that no matter what you choose, it will still be too hot to sleep under it. But is that really the case?

– Weight

The weight of a summer comforter makes all the difference in the world. During the winter, everyone enjoys a fluffy and lofty comforter, but during the summer, that will be a bit too heavy. You want to go with a thin and light comforter, because less loft means less heat, which translates into more comfort when bedroom temperatures aren’t exactly at a polar level.

You want to look for comforters that are labeled as “all-season”, but if you can find a thin comforter that’s specifically advertised as being for summer use, that would be an even better choice.

– Cover

The cover of your comforter can also make a difference, and while we can give you some suggestions, we can’t say much about what type of fabric you’d prefer on your skin. Summer comforters with cotton covers are one of the best combinations, because cotton is a very breathable fabric, while also being soft and smooth.

Other sleepers prefer the feel of silk, which is naturally cooling and has a very particular texture that’s associated with luxury. Bamboo fabric is making quite a statement these days, even if you rarely see a comforter covered in bamboo.

– Fill

It’s no secret that down fill is the customer favorite for winter-use comforter. In fact, those who choose down alternative for the winter are typically either allergic to down, or don’t want to spend the money on a natural down comforter (as they’re more expensive compared to the down alternative).

When summertime is just around the corner, you don’t really need a comforter filled with down, because fill power and insulation are no longer your main concerns. You can go with a down alternative comforter that has a microfiber fill, or some other form of down alternative that doesn’t trap heat that much (for instance, going with a wool-filled comforter is a bad idea).

The Stigma Behind Microfiber Summer Comforters

It’s true that comforters use a lot of different materials in their construction, but if you’re looking for an affordable summer product, you will most likely come across microfiber comforters a lot. That’s because this man-made material makes really affordable products, but also offers high levels of breathability and it’s easy to care for.

Of course, this is a question that everyone is asking themselves, considering the fact that microfiber comforters aren’t considered to be of high-quality like down comforters are. With that in mind, let’s review some of the features of microfiber down alternative comforters and see if they’re something you want to consider purchasing:

— What is Microfiber?

Microfiber is a material that’s widely used in the fabric industry and it is used to make stuff that ranges from clothes to bedding items. Microfiber is basically a thin type of fiber, with a diameter that’s about 1/100th of the diameter of human hair. This is the reason why microfiber feels very soft and qualitative to the touch. The interesting part is that even if microfibers are thin, the other fibers that are derived from it are pretty strong (such as polyester or nylon). In translation, that means that microfiber materials can be quite durable.

— Alternative

Considering the fact that this is a man-made fabric, microfiber is created to mimic the feel of other fabric, it can sometimes feel just like cotton or silk. For example, if you love the feel of silk but it’s too expensive, you can look for microfiber alternatives that replicate the feel of silk for merely a fraction of the cost. That makes microfiber versatile and comfortable.

— Breathability

Another important question that some buyers ask themselves before purchasing such products is whether microfiber is breathable or not. Microfiber can be tightly woven, which makes it a durable fabric, but compared to other options, such as cotton, it is not as breathable. Well, it is to a certain extent, but if you know you are a hot sleeper, you might want to look for alternative fabrics and fills that are made from other types of materials and fabrics.

— Moisture Wicking

Even if microfiber isn’t the most breathable option in the world, it is moisture-wicking. So, even if you tend to get some nocturnal sweats, microfiber sheets will not leave you sleeping in puddles and it will absorb sweat to a certain extent.

— Durability

For some, durability is a very important shopping consideration, and there is a stigma around microfiber for not being the most durable type of fabric out there. Here is the thing: the durability of a certain piece of microfiber will depend on how it was made. Some microfiber down alternative comforters are really durable, while others tend to fry in no time.

Other Summer Comforter Materials

As we’ve mentioned before, you will find summer comforters that use different types of fibers and fabrics for the fill and the outer shell, and since information is power, here are the other types of materials you can expect to encounter as you’re looking to buy a lightweight and breathable comforter:

Cotton is the king of the clothing industry because it doesn’t irritate the skin, it is very soft to the touch, it’s hypoallergenic, and not a very expensive choice. You can find cotton summer comforters, but especially ones that have their outer shells made from this type of fabric. Cotton is also known for its ability to wick away moisture.

Silk comforters are not very common even if the fabric itself is really good for warm seasons. Silk is expensive to make, which makes silk-based comforters quite scarce and costly. Even so, silk is naturally cooling and has a very smooth surface that plenty of sleepers can get behind.

You will find summer comforters that are made from down, but knowing which one to choose can be a little tricky. Down is known for being warm and highly insulating, which makes down comforters more suitable for winter. However, if you come across a comforter that will less fill power (which means it has less down inside the comforter itself), you might just feel comfortable enough using it during the summer.

Some comforters will have outer shells made from linen, which is a material derived from flax plants. Typically, linen allows for a decent amount of airflow and it can be very soft, but it’s also heavier compared to other types of materials.

Bamboo is also a good choice for a material used to make summer comforter. Products that are made with bamboo fibers are generally breathable and very lightweight.

Conclusion

The most important thing to remember when you’re looking for a summer comforter is that you don’t have to be very pretentious about the fill power and insulation capacity of the comforter. Instead, you want to focus on choosing a comforter covered in a fabric that’s breathable and feels soft when rubbed against the skin.

If you don’t plan to use your comforter with a duvet cover, look for options that are easy to wash, but also durable enough to resist multiple cleanings. Your summer comforter should also have a fill that doesn’t clump each time you wash it.

Recent Updates

July 22, 2021: Downluxe Lightweight Comforter has been removed due to product unavailability, replaced by the COHOME 2100 Series Cool Comforter and DOWNCOOL Down Alternative Quilted Comforter. Additional FAQs have been added to address popular customer queries.

October 22, 2021: Confirmed product availability and currency for all recommendations listed above.

Additional Resources

• What is the Best Mattress Topper to Keep You Cool?
• What is the Best Material for Sheets to Keep You Cool?
• Best Cool Comforters Perfect for Warmer Weather
• The Best Comforters on Amazon