Preparation
As the temperatures drop and we enter what can feel like an endless cold spell, now is the perfect time to think about investing in a new blanket or comforter for your bed. After all, bedding goes well beyond just aesthetics: Research shows that the surfaces we sleep on—mattresses, pillows, blankets, you name it—affect the quality of our sleep, and proper rest is vital to our overall physical and mental health.
So, when it’s time to add layer or two to your bed, make sure you start out by doing your research. There’s more to choosing warm bedding than simply selecting a standard blanket. You have options, and once you see how many offerings are available to you, the level of variety can feel overwhelming. To aid your search, we decided to bring you back to the basics.
First things first: What is the difference between a comforter, a quilt, and a coverlet? Comforters are usually heavier weight and filled with material like polyester batting, eco-fibers, or down feathers. Quilts, on the other hand, are typically more lightweight than a fluffy comforter (if you sleep warm, you may prefer this iteration over the former) and are composed of three layers, with batting in between. Coverlets don’t have a layer of batting—and they often are designed to be layered on top of a comforter or blanket; they can also be used alone in warm climates.
A high-quality blanket is an investment—and often a splurge—so you want to choose a quality piece that will go the distance. To help you do just that, we pulled together some of the best blankets and comforters, for every preference and price point, on the market right now. We’re sharing our picks for the comfiest, coziest blankets to keep you warm and comfortable all year long.
