Hands in the air if every time winter rolls around, you immediately reassess whether your current doona will get you through the next few months. Cue frantically searching online for the best doonas, or comforters, or quilts, or yadda yada whatever you want to call ’em. Just don’t ever say “duvet” in our presence.
Like the poor plebs we are, we used to think that polyester doonas were the only thing that existed, but recently our world has expanded. It turns out there are heaps of different types of quilts out there.
So after making do with a polyester doona for frankly too long (we don’t want to say, because it’s gross), we’re sure many of you are in the same boat, and are looking to adult up and buy something new that isn’t covered in drool stains, or worse.
Our bedroom “experts” have tried, and by that we mean slept with, a bunch of doonas so you can find the cosiest quilt to cocoon yourself in this winter.
The best doonas and quilts in Australia
Best Down Doona
Down quilts are, undoubtedly, controversial. However, some brands like Bonny, a Melbourne-based company that specialises in down doonas, have spent a lot of time to ensure each and every single one of its quilts are sourced in the most ethically responsible way.
These guys ensure a standard that doesn’t involve any animal cruelty such as live plucking (!!!) and don’t come from birds that have been force-fed for the foie gras industry. In fact, what really sold me was the fact that Bonny gives out a unique number with each doona so you know exactly where it’s been sourced from.
With that out of the way, do you know that feeling when you stay overnight somewhere and you just miss your own bed? Yeah, can’t relate. My old, lumpy doona never used to keep me warm enough and it always felt a bit flat. That’s why I’m obsessed with the Bonny Winter doona, which is by far the best doona I’ve ever slept with. Jumping into bed should always feel like the best part of your day, but now it feels like a trip into dreamland.
In terms of vibe, Bonny’s down quilts are really luxurious to use, and they also regulate your body temperature quite well. When I first got mine, I thought it looked a lil flatter than in the pictures, but after about a week my Bonny expanded into fluffy perfection with a bitta air and body heat. Magic, I tell ya. Magic!
The Winter quilt will keep you perfectly toasty, especially if the cozzie livs are forcing you to live without a heater in your cold, dark share house. But if you’re someone who overheats easily, you can always swap to the All-Rounder or Summer quilt.
– Bella
Best Polyester Doona
Look, I’m not a fan. Now that I’ve tried other types, I’ve realised how long I lived with being a sweaty mess in my sleep, you know?
Basically, I find polyester quilts the least breathable of the lot. Maybe you’re fine with that – I now could not go back.
They are often the cheapest, though – so if you live in a relatively cool climate where you aren’t sweating a lot in your sleep AND you’re broke, they’re not a bad purchase.
Side note: I didn’t trial this one, but the one I had was from Target or Kmart, so I popped a similar vibe in.
– Mel
Best Wool Doona
I am a big fan of the wool doona. I thought I would find it too hot, like the polyester quilt – but it turns out wool is actually super adaptable. It regulates your body temperature, so I found this super warm on colder nights, but not sweaty on the warmer ones where you still need a quilt coz it weirdly gets freezing at 3am.
I tried the All Seasons quilt, but if you’re in a really chilly climate Sheridan have a Super Warm version too, which is prob your best bet for winter.
– Mel
The Minijumbuk everyday wool quilt can only be described as the perfect all-rounder. From being applicable to all and every season (even the hottest of QLD summers to the cold single digit degree winter nights), it does what it says on the box, which is regulating body temperature throughout the seasons.
In addition to this, the weight of the duvet is the perfect mix between providing enough heaviness to feel luxurious, but not heavy enough to make you feel like your chest is being compressed. It also perfectly fills out a duvet cover and leaves the bed looking lush. Another bonus about the Minijumbuk doona is that it’ almost always on sale, so you can snag an expensive duvet for a bargain.
– Jaimee
Best Bamboo Doona
I am absolutely obsessed with bamboo sheets (more on that over here) and swear by them for regulating body temperature and also making it feel like you’re sleeping on a cloud.
So I was surprised to find the bamboo quilt wasn’t my number one personal favourite. I found the material to be a bit too warm for me – not sweaty, like polyester, but just a bit thick on warmer nights.
That being said I tried one of the winter weight quilts, so that would be great in cold climates. The summer weight quilt may have been the better option for Sydney.
– Mel
Best Silk Doona
I know, right? Silk! In quilts! That is some bougie chaotic energy! Well, surprisingly it’s not as bougie as you’d expect. I mean, they’re not cheap – but Ecosa are making them, and that’s the one I tried.
Ecosa have three types: Summer, Mid-Weight and Winter. I tried the winter one again, and it’s almost as amazing as the wool quilt. Almost. I’m currently using it as a second layer on really cold nights, because I found the silk quilt to be similar to the bamboo in that it really retains heat – but that can make you a bit too hot on warmer nights, or at the beginning of the night which is usually a bit warmer.
That being said it is SO luxurious. Soft, cuddly, all that.
– Mel
Best cooling doona
I know it’s not summer right now, but some of us are prone to overheating at night. My partner is the kinda guy that has to sleep with a fan on in the middle of winter and it’s not just for the “white noise”. This might be TMI, but he will create a puddle of sweat on his side of the bed and yeah, it sucks.
That’s why we like to use the good ol’ Scandinavian sleeping method, where both occupants use their own respective doonas. I get a nice, warm doona that’ll prevent my toes from freezing and falling off, while he gets to bundle up in a temperature-regulated quilt that absorbs all his icky sweat and keeps his body cool.
That’s why my partner and I are big fans of Rest’s cooling comforter. This bad boi is cool to the touch, akin to the feeling of leaping into a cold pool or kicking freshly shaven legs through new sheets. But the best part is that it dries super quickly, so you can just bundle yourself up like a burrito and wake up dry and well-rested.
– Bella
