5 best summer duvets 2025 UK, lightweight and cooling bedding for heatwave relief

The Sun

10 hours ago

In the summer, having a duvet to match the hot temperatures can help avoid sticky, sleepless nights.
With so many brands to choose from at different price points, it can be tricky to know where to start when choosing a summer duvet.
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Ideally, you would want at least two seasonal duvets, and for the summer, look for a duvet between 2.5 and 4.5 togs.
Or, there are duvets that work for all seasons, often with handy layers that clip or button together and can be separated depending on temperature.
There's something for every budget, so you don't have to splurge to sleep well, but premium brands are also popular. We've tested some of the best options available right now to add to upgrade your summer s l eep.
Best duvets at a Glance:
How we tested the best summer duvets
As these are specifically for summer, one of the main considerations was temperature regulation, which we tested by using each duvet overall several weeks and varying temperatures.
Another obvious factor was the comfort level, which we evaluated based on the feel of the material against the skin and the weight distribution.
Value for money is also key, and with a variety of duvets at different of different price points, we thought about how the cost measured up with the quality, versatility and guarantee.
All the duvets we tried were tested over a minimum of three weeks, giving time to assess against all our key criteria.
1. Silentnight Summer Fresh 4.5 tog duvet
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Silentnight Summer Fresh 4.5 tog duvet, from £35
Pros: Lightweight with great temperature regulating properties, machine washable, anti-allergy, five-year guarantee
Rating: 5/5
Testing out this duvet coincidentally came at the same time as the hottest week we've experienced in the UK this year, meaning I was truly putting the Silentnight Summer Fresh duvet to the test.
Straight off the bat, I was impressed as the duvet arrived in a compact package and was extremely easy to unpack and unroll.
The duvet is incredibly light and soft to the touch, thanks to its microfibre cover, which also has an anti-allergy filling—perfect for keeping those windows open at night whilst staying unaffected.
With its light tog rating of 4.5 (with 15 being the maximum tog rating), it is ideal for those hot, sticky summer nights, and sleeping under this duvet felt both comfortable and manageable.
I had the best sleep I've had in a long time, as I feel I can't sleep in the summer without something covering me, but usual duvets have always led to a battle in the middle of the night due to overheating.
However, I truly felt temperature regulation at work with this duvet, as it was breathable, and I could feel the heat easily escaping whenever I rolled over or changed position.
A necessity for the summer heat, and all year round if you find yourself to be a hot sleeper!
Specs: Machine washable at 40°C, anti-allergy filling endorsed by the British Allergy Foundation, microfibre cover
2. Soak and Sleep Soft As Down Microfibre duvet
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Pros: Luxurious-feeling, really does replicate down, comes in handy zipped bag for storage, long guarantee
Cons: Not as cheap as some other low tog duvets
Rating: 4.5/5
Before I even used the Soak and Sleep duvet, I was impressed by the zip-up storage bag, which is ideal for keeping the duvet neatly tucked away when swapping it out for the winter or if you need it out of the way when washing your bedding.
In terms of the duvet itself, I was most sceptical about the claim to feel 'as soft as down' but as soon as felt it I understood why it was described like this.
The filling is made from microfibre, which is not uncommon in duvets, but this felt particularly soft, and lofty yet lightweight, giving the duvet a fluffy feel.
I tried the 4.5 tog duvet, which is named 'Summer Warmth', and felt it was ideal for summer nights, offering just enough weight to have a restful sleep.
There is also an even lighter version which is 3 tog, however would probably only be beneficial in extremely high temperatures.
If you're looking for a duvet that feels luxurious but has a mid-range price tag, the Soak and Sleep Soft As Down Microfibre duvet is a great option - it would also be ideal for a guest bedroom as it can be easily packed and stored away too.
Specs: Machine washable at 30°C, tumble dryer-safe, good for allergy sufferers, five-year guarantee
3. Emma 4-Seasons Duvet
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Emma 4-Seasons Duvet, from £111
Rating: 5/5
I've always heard good things about Emma, which is best known for its premium mattresses, so I was keen to see if the 4-Seasons Duvet would work for me.
Before I even tried the duvet, I already loved the idea of having three togs in one, as it's super versatile for all-year round.
The duvet is comprised of two layers - a 3.5 tog spring summer layer, and a 7 tog autumn/winter layer, which clip together to offer a 10.5 tog option, minimising storage.
I tried all three combinations across several weeks, and enjoyed how easy it was to switch the thickness.
The overall feel of the duvet is very luxurious and bouncy, with an almost down-like feel, despite the materials being feather-free.
Even when I used the combined 10.5 tog on summer evenings, because the materials felt breathable, I found I didn't overheat.
The only thing to dislike is the expense - the duvet is the most costly I've tried, starting from £111.
However, considering you're essentially getting three duvets in one, if you're looking to upgrade your sleep set-up, it's worth the investment.
Specs: 3-in-1, recycled polyester fill, machine washable up to 60°C
4. Dreams Anti-Allergy 4.5 Tog Duvet
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Dreams Anti-Allergy 4.5 Tog Duvet, from £30
BUY AT DREAMS
Pros: Feels breathable, lightweight ideal for hot days
Cons: Nothing unique about it
Rating: 4.5/5
The Dreams Anti-Allergy 4.5 Tog Duvet is proof that you don't need to spend a lot of money to get a good-quality duvet.
I tested it during hot weather, including on several 30-degree days, and found the 4.5 tog was ideal for summer.
It offered just enough weight to feel cosy and comfortable, without being too thick or tempting me too kick it off during the night.
The anti-allergy claim has been endorsed by the British Allergy foundation, which appealed to me as a hayfever sufferer who can also has sensitive skin that can react to certain fibres.
With this duvet I had no irritation at all, and it felt soft, cool and breathable.
While you could argue there's nothing unique to write home about, it's worth mentioning that this duvet is highly affordable - with prices starting from £30, and it does the job for summer nights.
5. Panda Cloud Bamboo duvet
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Pros: Lightweight, soft and fluffy, hypoallergenic, 10-year guarantee
Rating: 5/5
For those who really value their eight (or more) hours kip, the Panda Cloud Duvet is an investment that sets high expectations – and it delivers.
Immediately, you notice its remarkably light feel, and while you may sceptical about its ability to retain warmth, the duvet proves itself once in use. It offers a comforting feel that's neither too heavy nor too light.
Thanks to bamboo's natural thermo-regulating properties, the duvet ensures cosiness in winter and coolness in summer.
If you were to critique the thermoregulation capabilities, it maybe leans slightly towards the warmer side, but this is easily remedied by slipping a leg outside the duvet.
Designed to replicate the fluffiness and luxury of down feathers, it uses organic silky bamboo fibres and offers the indulgent feel without the inconvenience of stray feathers.
For those who struggle with allergies, this duvet could be the ultimate solution. Composed of 50% bamboo and 50% nano-microfibre (sourced from recycled water bottles), it is completely hypoallergenic.
Allergy sufferers, who often rely on air purifiers to combat issues such as shedding pets or hay fever, should find that this duvet causes no irritation whatsoever.
Though the price point is higher than many high-street alternatives, the 10-year guarantee and exceptional quality make it a worthwhile investment for blissful, uninterrupted sleep.
Specs: 10.5 tog, 50% Bamboo, 50% Nano-Microfibre, 10-year guarantee, machine-washable
Best summer duvets FAQs
What tog is a summer duvet?
A summer duvet will be in the lower tog range, usually between 2.5 and 4.5, while winter duvets can be as high as 15 tog.
Many people opt for 4.5 tog for the summer, as it offers the comfort and light weight of a sleep layer, but also works for high temperatures. On particularly hot nights or during heatwaves, it could be worth dropping to 2.5 or 3 tog duvet.
Tog doesn't just mean the thickness of a duvet, it accounts for the thermal resistance, which determines how warm it keeps you.
Are feather duvets cool in summer?
Materials are vital for temperature-regulation, and there's a misconception that feather duvets are only for winter because they provide too much warmth.
In fact, you can buy both goose and duck feather duvets in low togs, and they're still suitable for summer.
Down, which is the undercoating of duck or geese feathers, is often found in duvets. The super-soft filling is breathable and helps to regulate heat and humidity, therefore it's great for summer.
However, the downside to feather duvets is often the cost, as due to the natural material, they're often pricier than synthetic duvets. There are several brands that also offer duvets that have a similar texture to down, so you can replicate the feeling on a budget.
How do cooling duvets work?
The cooling effect of duvets often comes down to the materials they're made from. Cotton is lightweight, breathable and promotes air circulation, while bamboo is temperature-regulating and moisture-wicking.
Night sweats can be uncomfortable, and cooling materials work by drawing sweat from the body and directing it to the duvet to disperse.