What Tog Duvet is Best for Winter?

A comfortable mattress isn’t enough for a restful night’s sleep. A snug duvet is also essential for the cosiest bedtime experience. A duvet’s weight, thickness and material can all influence your sleep quality.

We’ll help you narrow down which tog quilt is best for winter  so you can get a comfortable rest during these cold, dark nights.

What does 'tog' mean?

‘Tog’ is an abbreviated term that stands for ‘thermal overall grade’. It is a unit of measurement for the warmth and insulation level of your duvet. Understanding tog helps you identify which duvet is best based on personal preferences, seasons of the year or the temperature of your bedroom.

What are tog ratings?

Each duvet will have a tog rating to indicate how warm it is. One tog is the lightest grade, while 15 tog is the warmest. Duvets with higher tog ratings are better insulated and keep you warmer at night.

With the average UK winter temperature dropping to between 2C and 7C, a higher tog duvet is the preferred option for staying warm on cold nights, particularly for the vulnerable and elderly.

Similarly, lower tog duvets are most commonly enjoyed in warm summer temperatures as they give less insulation.

Best tog duvet for winter

Generally, people want to choose warmer duvets to keep them warm on winter nights. However, there are a number of different factors to consider when choosing a duvet, including bedroom temperature, allergies and warmth distribution.

Choose a tog above 13.5

Depending on your bedroom and body temperature, the perfect winter duvet will range between 10.5 and 13.5 tog. This is suitable if your room temperature is between 18C to 21C overnight. If your home does get colder than this, then you might want to consider going all the way up to 15 tog.

Synthetic vs natural duvet filling

There are two main duvet filling types: synthetic and natural. Synthetic duvet fillings, like polyester, are affordable, easy to wash and ideal for people with allergies or for those seeking a budget-friendly option.

Natural duvet fillings, like down or feathers, are a more expensive choice and less suitable for allergy sufferers. However they do give a plump, cosy duvet experience with temperature-regulating qualities and breathability.

Check the duvet construction

Considering the construction and quality of your duvet is important in ensuring it is fit for purpose. Well-constructed duvets will keep their filling evenly distributed, making them more comfortable while reducing cold spots. 

Additionally, a well constructed duvet will retain its heat insulating properties and contribute to a longer, more restorative sleep.  If you spot any gaps in your duvet’s seams and stitching this might indicate its time to replace your duvet. As these gaps can cause filling to fall out and trap dirt or dust. 

The importance of choosing the right size duvet

Equally as important is choosing the right size duvet. A duvet that matches or slightly exceeds the size of your mattress will ensure full coverage, helping to minimise heat loss as you toss and turn while sleeping. A slightly larger duvet will reduce drafts from travelling up underneath the bed from the floor, helping to retain insulation and increase comfort.

When a duvet hangs over the mattress, it is also far more likely to stay in place, which helps you feel secure, shrouded and more comfortable. This compares with a duvet that is too small, which can lead to arms and legs getting tangled and spots for heat loss, causing a more disruptive sleep.

Conclusion

Choosing the right winter duvet can help create a warm, restful sleep environment. By considering a duvet’s tog rating, material, construction and size you can enjoy cosier nights throughout the colder months.

Sleep tips from our Oak Tree Mobility experts

At Oak Tree Mobility, we’re passionate about ensuring everybody has the best night’s rest. From the type of duvet you have to your choice in quality mattress. We have a plethora of information and sleep tips on our blog.

To learn more about how our adjustable beds and award-winning mattresses can benefit your sleep quality, request your FREE brochure.