There’s something undeniably comforting about climbing into bed at the end of a long day and being greeted by a plush, cloud-like doona.
If you’ve ever slept under a less-than-great quilt, you’ll know exactly what I mean. It’s one of those household items that you don’t think much about until it’s not doing its job properly. Then suddenly you’re spending your nights too hot, too cold, or wrestling for covers with your partner.
The Best Quilts, According To marie claire:
And if you’re currently still curling up under said sub-par doona (or simply in the market for a new one), consider this your sign to upgrade.
As we move out of the colder months, many of us will be looking to swap our heavy winter bedding for something lighter and more versatile. Others may be searching for an all-season quilt that can comfortably handle Australia’s often unpredictable temperatures. But with so many options on the market, how do you know what’s actually worth buying?
To help answer that question, we spoke to David Zwier, founder of Bonny, who shared his expertise on what to look for when shopping for a new doona, and the mistakes most people make along the way.
Read: Before You Host Your Next Dinner Party, These Are The Pieces Experts Say To Invest In
What Should I Look For When Buying A New Doona?
“Let’s start with the filling,” Zwier declares. “The filling is the single biggest differentiator between doonas. All materials, wool, polyester, down, feathers will have different pros and cons.”
And while every material has its place, down remains a favourite among those chasing that lofty, luxury-hotel feel. “At Bonny we are big fans of a down doona, they’re fluffy, luxurious and lightweight. When you think of a fluffy doona, you’re almost certainly describing a down doona.”
That being said, down-filled quilts often come with a higher price tag than some alternatives, especially when the conversation turns to goose versus duck down.
“Goose down is sold as the premium fill over duck, you will even get charged more for it, but 800 fill power duck down and 800 fill power goose down give you identical loft,” Zwier explains. “Same fluffiness, same warmth, same weight.”
Rather than getting caught up in the goose-versus-duck debate, Zwier says shoppers should pay closer attention to two key things: down percentage and fill power.
“Warmth and weight are what people ask about because they’re easy to compare, but a breathable doona will keep you just right, all night.”
David Zwier, Bonny Founder
“It helps to know that down and feathers are completely different things. Down is the fluffy under-layer, think 3D, soft, fluffy snowflakes, no solid structure,” Zwier says. “Feathers are what you picture, with quills that flatten and eventually poke through. So ‘feather and down’ is mostly feather. ‘Down and feather’ flips it, with more down than feathers. ‘Down’ means it’s overwhelmingly down.”
In other words, just because two quilts are marketed as down doesn’t mean they’ll feel the same once they’re on your bed. What arguably matters most is fill power, which is often linked to the percentage of down used.
“Fill power measures how much loft you get from a given weight,” he explains. A higher fill power allows large amounts of air to be trapped, resulting in a lightweight, puffy doona. “That’s the thing people are describing when they say a doona feels like a cloud,” Zwier explains.
One of the easiest ways to separate quality products from clever marketing is by looking for brands that clearly disclose both their fill power and down percentage. As a general rule, Zwier says to aim for at least 80 per cent down if you’re after maximum loft and softness.
“If a brand won’t tell you these numbers, its usually because the numbers don’t actually support their marketing claims.”
What Is Something That Gets Overlooked When Buying A New Quilt?
While warmth and weight tend to dominate the doona conversation, Zwier believes breathability deserves just as much attention.
“Warmth and weight are obviously important, but breathability is arguably more important,” Zwier advises. “You can buy a cheap doona that’s very warm, but if it can’t breathe you’ll wake up sweaty.”
It’s an especially relevant consideration during spring, when chilly evenings can quickly give way to unexpectedly warm nights. And according to Zwier, breathability isn’t just about the filling itself. The outer fabric plays a major role, too.
“A tightly woven natural cotton holds the fill in while still letting air and moisture pass through,” he explains. “Cheaper doonas often solve fill leakage (i.e. down escaping) with a coated or synthetic casing, which stops the leak but seals the whole thing up, but the fabric won’t breathe.”
The result? A quilt that keeps you warm but leaves you overheating by the middle of the night.
“Again this will just lead to sweaty nights,” Zwier says. “Get both a great breathable outer shell and a natural material filling and you effectively widen the temperature range the doona works in. You’re not swapping it out every season, and you’re not kicking a leg out at 3am.”
What Are The Best Quilts To Buy?
Ultimately, the best doona for you will come down to your sleep style, budget and personal preferences. Whether you’re searching for a lightweight option for warmer weather, an all-season quilt that can do it all, or a lofty down doona worthy of a luxury hotel, there are plenty of excellent options to choose from.
Below, we’ve rounded up the very best quilts available in Australia right now.
Read: Stylish Bed Sheets You Need For The Change Of Seasons
Best Everyday Quilt: Bonny All Rounder
The Bonny All Rounder has gone viral, and for good reason. I found it to deliver hotel-level comfort without the heaviness often associated with traditional quilts.
While it does take a few days to reach its full fluff potential after being unpacked from its canvas storage bag, the wait is well worth it. Once fully lofted, it’s plush, cosy and impressively lightweight.
Zwier tells me that perfecting the Bonny doona was a lengthy process, but one that ultimately paid off.
“After testing dozens of samples, we landed on something cloud-like, fluffy and luxurious, while remaining lightweight and accessible without compromising on the ethical standards that mattered to us.”
But comfort wasn’t the only consideration for the Bonny team. “We also wanted it to feel considered before it ever made it inside a doona cover. That meant thinking about details that had traditionally been an afterthought, from our signature wave pattern and orange packaging to a label that actually looked nice on the bed.”
Fill: Duck down. | Fill Power: 800+. | Down Ratio: 90 per cent. | Outer: Cotton.
Best Wool Quilt: MiniJumbuk Everyday Australian Wool Quilt
For those who prefer natural fibres, it’s hard to go past the MiniJumbuk Everyday Australian Wool Quilt. Filled with Australian wool and wrapped in a breathable cotton casing, this quilt is designed to regulate temperature throughout the night.
With a 400 GSM (grams per square metre), the Everyday Wool Quilt is a great option for year-round use. If you’re a cold sleeper, opt for the Warm Quilt—it was my quilt of choice throughout winter—which sits at 450 GSM.
The Everyday Quilt is warm without feeling too heavy, and unlike some synthetic alternatives, it won’t leave you waking up overheated in the early hours of the morning.
Fill: Wool. | GSM: 400. | Outer: Sateen cotton.
Best For Comfort: Sheridan Pure Indulgence Goose Down & Feather Quilt
If your goal is to recreate that five-star hotel bed experience at home, Sheridan’s Pure Indulgence Quilt is well worth considering. Filled with premium Hungarian white goose down and feather, this quilt strikes the perfect balance between warmth, loft and breathability.
The result is a quilt that feels plush and luxurious while having just the right amount of weight. It’s the kind of bedding investment you’ll appreciate every single night, particularly if you love that soft, cloud-like feeling that only a quality down quilt can deliver.
Fill: Goose down. | Fill Power: N/A. | Down Ratio: 85 per cent. | Outer: Cotton.
Best Goose Down: Linen House Goose Down Quilt
Linen House’s Goose Down Quilt combines an 80 per cent goose down and 20 per cent feather fill to create a quilt that’s soft, fluffy and breathable enough for year-round use. The airy construction helps distribute warmth evenly throughout the night, while still maintaining that coveted cloud-like feel.
Lightweight, lofty and exceptionally comfortable, this quilt offers warmth without the weight that can sometimes come with heavier fillings.
Fill: Goose down. | Fill Power: N/A. | Down Ratio: 80 per cent. | Outer: Cotton.
Best Lightweight: Ecosa Australian Wool Quilt
Ecosa’s Australian Wool Quilt is proof that wool bedding doesn’t have to feel bulky. Made using Woolmark-certified Australian wool and available in both summer and winter weights, it’s designed to cater to different sleep styles and climates.
What is particularly great is that it offers all the benefits wool is known for (including breathability, moisture-wicking properties and temperature regulation) while still maintaining a lightweight feel. For hot sleepers, allergy sufferers or anyone looking for a more natural bedding option, this one ticks plenty of boxes.
Fill: Wool. | GSM: 250 (summer) or 500 (winter). | Outer: Cotton.
Best Plant-Based Alternative: Sheet Society Cloud Corn Medium Weight Quilt
For anyone looking to move away from traditional down or synthetic fillings, Sheet Society’s Cloud Corn Medium Weight Quilt offers a compelling alternative. Filled with a plant-based corn fibre blend and wrapped in soft cotton, it’s designed to deliver that cosy, cloud-like feeling without feeling overly heavy on the bed.
As the name suggests, this is very much the all-rounder of the collection. It provides enough warmth for cooler nights while remaining breathable enough for year-round use, making it particularly well suited to Australia’s often unpredictable weather.
Fill: Corn fibre. | GSM: 400. | Outer: Cotton.
Best For Organic Fibres: Bhumi Organic Cotton Quilt Insert
If natural fibres are high on your priority list, Bhumi’s Organic Cotton Quilt Insert is an ideal option. Crafted with organic cotton inside and out, this quilt is designed for sleepers who want comfort without compromising on breathability.
Unlike some heavier quilts that can feel stifling overnight, this one has a lighter, airier feel that helps create a comfortable sleep environment throughout the year. As an all-seasons option, it strikes a happy balance between warmth and breathability, making it a practical choice for most Australian homes.
Fill: Organic cotton. | Outer: Organic cotton.
Best For Hotel Feel: I Love Linen Hotel Cloud Collection Luxury 5 Star Hotel Quilt
If you’ve ever climbed into a hotel bed and immediately wondered why it feels so much better than your own, the I Love Linen 5 Star Hotel Quilt might be the answer. Designed to recreate that luxury sleep experience at home, this quilt is all about indulging in comfort.
As the name suggests, the standout feature here is its lofty, cloud-like feel. It’s soft, plush and cocooning without feeling overwhelming, making it an easy choice for anyone who likes their bed to feel as inviting as possible. The result is a quilt that transforms your bedroom into something that feels a little more luxurious, and makes hitting snooze that much more tempting.
Fill: Microfibre fill. | GSM: 400. | Outer: Cotton.
Best For Warmth: Bedding Co Canadian Goose Down Quilt
For those who feel the cold or prefer a warmer quilt, this is the doona you’ll want. Filled with premium Canadian goose down and crafted in Germany, the Bedding Co Goose Down Quilt is designed with warmth as its primary focus.
Despite its impressive insulating properties, it still delivers the lightweight feel. Rather than weighing you down, it creates a cosy cocoon of warmth that feels lofty and breathable at the same time. If you’re a cold sleeper, live in a cooler climate, or simply love the feeling of being completely snug on chilly nights, this is the kind of investment you’ll appreciate every time the temperature drops.
Fill: Goose down. | Fill Power: 750. | Down Ratio: 90 per cent. | Outer: Cotton.
If you’ve always bought the same size doona as your bed, you may want to rethink that strategy. While it seems like the obvious choice, Zwier says sizing up is one of the simplest ways to make your bed look and feel more luxurious.
“This will leave you with a doona with barely any overhang and not nearly enough material to share with your partner,” Zwier explains. “No one wants to be playing a doona tug of war.”
“Sizing up fixes all of this. It looks better and feels better, a no brainer but easily overlooked! So look to buy a doona size bigger than your bed.”
Not only will it create that plush, hotel-style look, but it also means a little extra fabric to go around when sharing a bed, which is never a bad thing.
If you’re looking to refresh your bedroom for the warmer months, consider introducing softer seasonal tones. However, you don’t need to completely overhaul your space. Sometimes swapping in fresh bedding or adding subtle touches of colour through cushions, throws or accessories can instantly make your bedroom feel brighter and more spring-ready.
“Lighter tones such as lemon or soft blues are a great way to step into the new season,” says Sheet Society Head of Product, Blair Fisher. “We love styling these in both solid colours or for a fresh new look—mixing them up with checks and stripes.”
“Adding a contrast tone really injects fun and personality into your bedroom while still being incredibly versatile,” she says.
“Preppy stripes in beautiful blues, lemons and my personal favourite—Wasabi green—are all key for spring/summer,” Fisher tells us. “Colour blocking is also key across both homewares and fashion, and a fresh way to bring unexpected colours together, giving you a versatile option that is great to mix and match.”
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