What Is a Duvet Cover?

A duvet cover goes over a duvet insert or comforter to protect it from stains, sweat, and dust. It can be washed weekly along with your sheets.

You know you need bed sheets, but what about all the other types of bed linens? For warmth and fluffy volume, lots of people use a down or down-alternative duvet or comforter as their main top bedding layer. In most cases, though, you'll need a cover for your bed cover—a duvet cover, that is.

What is a duvet cover, exactly, and why do you need one? Keep reading for answers.

First, What Is a Duvet?

A duvet is a type of bed cover that spans the entire mattress and hangs slightly off the sides and foot of the bed. Some are loftier than others, but duvets will often feature box quilting filled with real goose or duck down or down-alternative fibers (Duvet is actually French for "down").¹ Learn more about down vs down-alternative in our blog.

Duvet vs Duvet Insert

The duvet insert is the inner, insulating part, while "duvet" often refers to the whole system (insert plus cover). We'll get to the duvet cover in a moment.

Duvet vs Comforter

When shopping online for bedding, you'll often see the terms duvet and comforter used interchangeably. Both can be used to describe a typically white, non-decorative, box-quilted insert that goes inside a washable, decorative duvet cover.

But some comforters come in colors or patterns and are meant to be used without a duvet cover. These might be slightly flatter so that they're easier to fit in a washing machine.

See our duvet vs comforter guide for more insight.

What Is a Duvet Cover?

A duvet cover is a fabric enclosure meant to go over a duvet insert or comforter. It helps keep the insert clean and protect against dust, stains, and sweat. If you wash your duvet cover about once a week with your sheets, you don't have to launder the insert as often (maybe once every two to three months).

What Is a Duvet Cover Set?

A duvet cover set is a matching bedding bundle. It'll include a duvet cover and pillow shams in the same fabric and color or print. (King, queen, and full-sized sets will come with two shams, while twin and twin XL sets typically include just one.)

What is a sham? Our blog has answers.

Common Duvet Cover Materials

Like bed sheets, duvet covers come in several fabric options:

• Cotton – Cotton is arguably the most popular choice for bed linens. It's widely available, naturally breathable, and moisture-wicking. The softness and durability depend on the weave (such as percale or sateen), thread count, and type of cotton used (like organic or long-staple).²
• Linen – Linen, which comes from flax, is another natural fiber known for its airy feel and billowy quality. This sweat-wicking textile is good for hot sleepers, and it tends to get softer every time you wash it. Since linen is notably strong and long-lasting, it's often pricier than other fabrics.³
• Flannel – Flannel is traditionally woven from cotton. It's finished with a brushing technique on one or both sides that softens the surface and adds extra insulation.⁴
• Polyester – Some duvet covers are made of polyester (or polyester blended with other fibers), like stretchy jersey knit or microfiber.
• Other bedding materials – You can also find duvet cover sets woven from bamboo, hemp-derived fibers, or silk blends. Then there's Tencell TENCEL™ Lyocell (sourced from eucalyptus), as with Casper's cooling, lightweight Hyperlite bedding.

FAQs

Find answers to frequently asked questions about duvet covers below.

Should You Put a Blanket Over or Under a Duvet?

There's no right or wrong answer here. With traditional bed-making, a blanket often goes underneath (between the duvet and top sheet) to add insulation.⁵ On the other hand, a throw blanket can be placed on top to function as both decoration and an extra layer of warmth.⁶

Our guide dives into the differences between a throw vs blanket.

Can You Use a Duvet Cover By Itself?

A duvet cover is generally not supposed to be used on its own—the fabric enclosure is meant to go over a duvet insert. Having said that, if you're too hot to sleep on a particularly muggy night and need something lighter, you could remove the insert and just use the cover in a pinch. But we wouldn't recommend this as a long-term solution.

Why Do People Use Duvets Instead of Comforters?

Many people use duvets instead of comforters because they allow for more flexibility. You can choose the fabric and color of the duvet cover, switch it out whenever you'd like, and easily wash the cover as often as you launder your sheets.

New to duvet covers? See our guide on how to put on a duvet cover.

How Do I Choose a Duvet Cover That’s Right for Me?

The best duvet cover is one that’s designed to match your sleep habits, bedroom style, and personal preferences. Look for materials that feel right—cotton, linen, or flannel—and check if it's filled or just a cover. A good duvet cover should be protective, easy to change, and stay secure at the corners. The difference duvet covers make is in the look, feel, and warmth they provide. They offer a luxurious, stylish way to refresh your bedding with different options to suit any need.

Shop Down and Down-Alternative Duvets at Casper

For many, a duvet cover is an essential piece of the bed-making puzzle. If you're in the market for a duvet cover or pillowcases, check out the SuperSoft and Hyperlite bedding lines from Casper. 

We also have breathable, cooling bed sheets, down and down-alternative duvet inserts, bed pillows, and, of course, premium mattresses for your comfiest, dreamiest night's sleep.

Sources:

1. BBC News. Almost 300 years without a duvet. https://www.bbc.com/news/magazine-34848546
2. Journal of Sleep Research. How do sleepwear and bedding fibre types affect sleep quality: A systematic review. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11596996/
3. ISRN Biotechnology. Linen Most Useful: Perspectives on Structure, Chemistry, and Enzymes for Retting Flax. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4403609/
4. Fibres and Textiles. Thermo-physiological comfort of brushed woven fabrics. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/328172055_Thermo-physiological_comfort_of_brushed_woven_fabrics
5. Nature and Science of Sleep. The effects of fabric for sleepwear and bedding on sleep at ambient temperatures of 17°C and 22°C. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4853167/
6. Nielson KJ. Interior Textiles: Fabrics, Application, and Historic Style. https://books.google.com/books?id=1wRk1gaOK0QC&q=Duvet+cover&pg=PA220#v=snippet&q=Duvet%20cover&f=false
7. Materials (Basel). Impact of the Elastane Percentage on the Elastic Properties of Knitted Fabrics under Cyclic Loading. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9570736/
8. Erickson K and Zentgraf C. The Complete Photo Guide to Slipcovers, Pillows, and Bedding. https://books.google.com/books?id=TFX4AgAAQBAJ&q=Duvet+cover&pg=PA145#v=snippet&q=Duvet%20cover&f=false