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If you’re tired of swapping out your bedding every season, quilts are a versatile option that will keep you comfortable all year. Since they tend to be thin, quilts are also easier to store and leave room to layer other bedding for extra warmth when indeed.
Quilts are made with one layer of batting between two layers of fabric. Usually, the top layer is more ornate, while the backing is a simpler fabric. The middle batting serves as the insulation.
“There are a lot of beautiful quilts out there, but you shouldn’t pick a quilt based on its appearance alone,” Light says. “For quality sleep, you’ll want a temperature-regulating quilt with a comfortable texture and weight,” says Stephen Light, CEO and co-owner of Nolah Technologies.
To help you find the best quilts, we tested a variety of options and asked our editors about their favorite quilts. In addition to Light, we also consulted Jennifer Tampasis, interior designer and CEO of Jennifer Lynn Interiors, and on what to look for when shopping for a quilt.
What We Tested
We tested quilts in our lab and at home, assessing them for quality, comfort, breathability, durability, and ease of cleaning. For more information on how we tested quilts, check out our testing process below.
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You might not think of quilts as being especially soft or fluffy, but the Parachute Organic Cloud Cotton Quilt has a cloud-like texture that we loved.
During testing, we were impressed with the fluffy yet lightweight fabric of the quilt. We loved that it kept us warm without causing us to overheat when we slept under it. Plus, it was also very soft to the touch thanks to its organic cotton shell. Overall, we think it would be perfect for year-round use.
When we made our bed with the quilt, it covered the mattress nicely and draped softly on the sides and foot of the bed. It’s fluffier than a standard quilt so it looked similar to a comforter, making our bed look nice and polished.
During testing, we also appreciated the stain-resistance of the quilt’s fabric. After spilling coffee on the quilt, the stain washed out completely and didn’t leave a mark on the fabric.
While the material resisted stains well, we noticed that the fabric was somewhat delicate. The threads were easily pulled when we ran a pet brush over the quilt, so it may not be the best option if you have pets or small children.
Product Details: Sizes: Twin/twin XL, full/queen, and king/California king | Dimensions: Queen: 96 x 96 in. | Material: Organic cotton and poly batting fill | Care: Machine wash
Key Terms to Know
- Quilt Top: This is generally the most decorative portion of a quilt. The top of a quilt can be made from a single piece of fabric or pieces or strips of material.
- Batting: Typically made from cotton, wool, bamboo, or a cotton and polyester blend, batting is the interior layer of a quilt (between the top and bottom layers).
- Backing: The backing is the fabric on the back of the quilt. It is often a single piece of fabric, but it can also be made from multiple pieces stitched together.
- Binding: The process that finishes the quilt, this involves stitching strips of fabric attached to the edges of the quilt.
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Better Homes & Gardens editorial director Laura Miller loves the breathability and relaxed look of the Quince European Linen Box Quilt, which is less expensive than other options on our list.
Made with flax linen, the quilt is designed to soften over time. Linen can sometimes be a tricky material to maintain, but we love that this quilt offers a relaxed, lived-in look without heavy wrinkling.
“We’ve owned this quilt for about one and a half years, and it’s my husband’s go-to,” Miller says. “He prefers having an extra layer of bedding when sleeping for additional weight and this quilt offers a nice mid-weight feel while also still being breathable enough for year-round use.”
The quilt has held up well to frequent washing, and the color hasn’t faded at all. We washed it about every three weeks and haven’t noticed any changes in quality, although it sometimes takes an extra cycle to get completely dry.
Since it’s available in 18 colors, there are plenty of options to find the right hue for your space. We also love that the quilted square construction adds some texture to the bed, so it has visual interest even if you opt for a neutral color.
Product Details: Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king/California king | Dimensions: Queen: 88 x 92 in. | Material: European flax linen | Care: Machine wash
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The Coyuchi Pebbled Handstitched Organic Quilt is a great all-season option. The quilt is made with cotton thats GOTS-certified, confirming that it’s also made with organic materials.
When we examined the cotton fabric, it felt high quality and weighty, so it was warm and breathable without trapping heat. We thought it was comfortable for the summer and easy to layer in the winter.
The quilt features hand-stitched pebbled embroidery that adds both texture and visual interest to your space. We also loved that the quilt draped nicely over the sides of the bed.
The quilt held up surprisingly well in our durability tests, too. When we ran a pet brush over the fabric, the threads didn’t get caught or cause any snags or tears. The coffee stain also washed out of the blanket easily.
We noted that the quilt material felt a bit stiff before we washed it. However, it seemed to soften after the first wash and became even softer over time, so we didn’t think it was a dealbreaker.
Product Details: Sizes: Twin, full/queen, king | Dimensions: Queen: 90 x 92 in. | Material: Organic cotton | Care: Machine wash
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We loved the Brooklinen Linen Quilt for its cozy feel. The quilt features a linen front and percale back, a breathable combination that’ll help regulate your temperature and keep you comfortable all year long.
“In the summer, linen’s breathability and moisture-wicking properties cool you down. In the winter, it keeps you warm without trapping heat and making you sweat,” Light says.
During testing, the fabric felt airy and was very soft to the touch. It held up well to both our abrasion tests and staining tests, although the fabric did seem a bit delicate.
This quilt has some heft, although we wouldn’t describe it as heavy. Despite the slight weight, the quilt ept us cool when we lay under it, and it felt surprisingly cool to the touch throughout testing. Plus, the weight helped the quilt drape neatly over the sides of the bed, making for a neat look in our bedroom.
Product Details: Sizes: Full/queen, king/California king | Dimensions: Queen: 96 x 92 in.| Material: Linen and cotton | Care: Machine wash
The Bottom Line
After testing quilts in our lab and at home, we chose the Parachute Organic Cloud Cotton Quilt as the best quilt overall for its breathability and lightweight material that makes it ideal for layering.
Other Quilts We Have Our Eye On
We’re excited to try these quilts from a couple of brands we’ve tested and loved. While we haven’t tested these quilts yet, we’ve consistently been impressed with the quality, comfort, and breathability of these brands’ other bedding options.
Saatva Aero Quilt
Whether you’re a hot sleeper or live in a warm climate, you can’t go wrong with the Saatva Aero Quilt. The quilt is made of a lightweight cotton-viscose blend, so it’s breathable to ensure you don’t overheat while you sleep. Plus, it’s stuffed with hypoallergenic poly fill for just the right amount of weight.
The Company Store Voile Quilt
Made with 100% cotton, The Company Store Voile Quilt is lightweight and super breathable, making it ideal for hot sleepers. The versatile weight means it can stay on your bed year-round, though you may want to add some extra layers in the winter. We also love that it comes in 17 colors and has a timeless look that would match any bedding.
Our Testing Process
We evaluated each quilt on its quality, comfort, breathability and temperature regulation, ease of cleaning, and durability. The quilts were tested both in our testing lab and at home.
Before washing the quilts, we inspected the fabric to examine its texture and softness. We checked for any flaws in the material like loose threads, discoloration, or uneven edges. To check for shrinkage, we measured each quilt before and after the first wash.
To assess the durability of the quilts, we used a pet brush on the fabric to mimic claws or other sharp objects that could snag the quilt. Then, we stained the fabric with coffee and attempted to remove the stain. We also washed and dried each quilt at least once following the care instructions.
While sleeping with each quilt, we noted the breathability of the fabric and whether it could regulate our body temperature throughout the night.
After testing each option in our lab, we sent the top performers home with testers to see how they held up after six months of use. We made sure each quilt was comfortable and breathable year-round to choose the best quilts to include in our list.
Better Homes & Gardens
What to Know About Quilts Before Shopping
Weight and Material
Quilts are fairly light in general, making them a good option for year-round bedding. However, weight isn’t the only factor that determines warmth.
“It’s true that heavier quilts have more filling and thus can keep you warmer than their lighter counterparts,” says Light. “But choosing the right material is just as important for temperature control.”
Light recommends temperature-regulating materials like linen and bamboo. “With these materials, you don’t need to switch to a heavier or lighter quilt when the seasons change.”
Cotton is another great material for temperature regulation. “Smooth and soft to the touch, cotton is very effective at absorbing sweat and moisture,” says Tampasis.
While shopping, keep in mind that synthetic materials like polyester and microfiber tend to trap heat, making them unfit for the warmer months.
Care
If you’re using quilts as your main blanket while you sleep, you may find that you want to wash it often. Though materials like cotton and linen are typically safe to put in a washing machine, we recommend always checking the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure it’s being properly cleaned.
Style
The best quilts are more than bedding; they also function as decor and add visual interest to your bed. Styles include patchwork, applique, paper pieced (and its cousin English paper pieced), scrap, string, and more.
“Quilts are an art form,” says Tampasis. “How to choose comes down to the artistic look, the fill, and, as [with] all art, what speaks to you.”
Your Questions, Answered
What is the difference between a quilt, blanket, and comforter?
On a technical level, a blanket is made of just one piece of fabric. Both quilts and comforters, on the other hand, usually have three layers. Quilting is the process of stitching those layers together.
Quilts are stuffed with batting material on the inside and typically have a non-decorative bottom layer and a more ornate top layer with patches or stitched patterns and designs. Comforters are usually simpler in design and fluffier in fill, with more loft and generally more warmth as well.
Who We Are
Molly Blanco is a senior writer for Better Homes & Gardens. She has slept with a quilt as her only top-of-bed piece for the last two years, so she knows what makes for a breathable and high-quality quilt. For this article, she asked our team of editors about the quilts they use and love. She also referenced insights from our experts who evaluated quilts in our testing lab and at home for six months.
Additional reporting was conducted by Rena Behar and Nicole Pyles, who interviewed interior designer Jennifer Tampasis and sleep science coach Stephen Light.