Should I buy a cheap "feather fill" comforter online?

January 9, 2006 10:17 AM

Should I buy a cheap "feather fill" comforter online? So far I've only ever had lovely Cuddle Down comforters at home, but now am striking out on my own, and don't have the budget for lofty bedding right away. Will I even notice the difference in fill type, or thread count? I will always have a duvet cover over it... or is this a save-for-it item worth the wait?

Here's what I'm considering: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AY31NO/ref=br_lf_k_12/104-9635915-1387100?n=284507&s=kitchen&v=glance

posted by zenigmatic to home & garden (21 comments total)

In my experience quality counts in comforters. I've bought cheap ones a couple of times (at major-label stores, not online) and both have been unsatisfactory. They were never really warm (the down didn't have decent loft), they wore out fast (down collapsed entirely within a year or so), and they leaked down and feathers through the cover. Less-cheap comforters have been better value.
posted by anadem at 10:30 AM on January 9, 2006

I'm not sure about the feather-versus-down thing, but I can tell you to make sure you get a pretty high thread count. Otherwise, those pesky feathers will creep out of the comforter. Even if you're not allergic, it's a pain because the feathers (and tiny pieces of the feathers) get all over everything whenever you change or launder the duvet cover.
posted by lilybeane at 10:32 AM on January 9, 2006

Also, don't skimp on the construction. You want something that will keep the feathers or down evenly distributed. (I think it's called bafflebox?)
posted by lilybeane at 10:34 AM on January 9, 2006

With a down comforter, you really do get what you pay for. I bought a cheapo comforter once, and the cover was all scratchy and stiff, and it didn't keep me warm at all. I can't imagine a $25 comforter is going to be that comfortable.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 10:55 AM on January 9, 2006 [1 favorite]

I'd suggest checking out Overstock.com. Just forget those weird and scary 'The Big O' commercials. They have quality down comforters for pretty cheap and they're having a huge bedding sale. Plus, they are a blue company!

If you want something of true, true quality, go for European down. It's expensive stuff, but pretty much all other down comes from China.
posted by alma at 11:01 AM on January 9, 2006

Try overstock.com, they have a good selection of down/ feather/ down alternative comforters at good prices (and the shipping is not horrible). Also have you considered the down alternative comforters?
posted by TheLibrarian at 11:03 AM on January 9, 2006

Just keep in mind that if you buy from Overstock.com and then decide to return it - you pay return shipping and a restocking fee (I believe the fee is $4.95). I don't know how much it costs to ship a comforter, but it might be kind of costly.

In adiition to the sales, Bed Bath & Beyond and Linens N' Things both regularly put out 20% off coupons, you might be able to use one for this type of item.
posted by Puppy D at 11:11 AM on January 9, 2006

I bought a new down comforter and duvet on Overstock.com a few months ago, and I'm very happy with my purchase.
posted by ThePinkSuperhero at 11:33 AM on January 9, 2006 [1 favorite]

Ikea has cheap and excellent down duvets.
posted by CunningLinguist at 11:35 AM on January 9, 2006

Overstock has some good prices on down, but I was kind of disappointed with the comforter I got. It was super-warm and very soft (high thread count), but it was supposed to have the aforementioned baffle-box construction to keep the down in place, but it still migrated to my feet every few days. Afterwards, I submitted what I felt was a fair product review (3 out of 5 stars), and it was never posted. I don't know if that means my user review was so poorly written that they wouldn't post it or if they only choose to post the positive ones, but I'm cynical enough that I haven't bought anything there since.

Frankly, I'd go against the grain and suggest you roll the dice with the $25 one. If you hate it, it's $25 down the tubes (no pun intended) ... big whoop.
posted by MegoSteve at 11:59 AM on January 9, 2006

I second the recommendation for Ikea. I bought a down comforter there about 4 years ago and it's still in excellent shape. I bought the mid-quality full/queen ($60ish), air it in the sun once/month, and use a duvet. The down stays fluffy, even with my dog commandeering it during the daylight hours.
posted by annaramma at 12:20 PM on January 9, 2006

I don't know. That does sound like a pretty good deal. But I think I'd go with something other than feathers (like just a regular quilt) if I couldn't get real down. My featherbed is just feathers and while it's fine for its purpose, I can't imagine sleeping UNDER it for some reason. It's lumpy and heavy, as opposed to my down quilt which is fluffy, squishy and light. I'm sure a comforter would be constructed differently, though.

What I am always shocked at is the price of duvet covers by themselves. They cost more than the quilts half the time! I'm in the market for one right now, and well...it seems like a lot. So does the price of sheets and all that, even on the low-quality end.
posted by lampoil at 1:43 PM on January 9, 2006

ps. I think when it comes to bang for your buck, LLBean's down comforters are great. Lifetime guarantee, what?
posted by lampoil at 1:46 PM on January 9, 2006

I'd be careful with feathers. The big problem is that they poke through the material and prick you. I bought a feather pillow that felt great in the store, but after about a week or som the little quills worked through the pillowcase and started jabbing me. Given, that's a pillow not a comforter.
posted by jefeweiss at 2:38 PM on January 9, 2006

Amazon itself often has Overstock.com-like closeout bargains on housewares and home furnishings. For example, this down comforter, listed at $250, is currently selling for $59.99 with free shipping. (Not recommending that one specifically, just suggesting you keep an eye out for deals on Amazon.)
posted by staggernation at 4:57 PM on January 9, 2006

Quality definitely counts. If I couldn't afford a nicenice down comforter, I'd go the down-alternative route. At least you wouldn't have the pokey-feathers problem, which sucks so godamned much.
posted by ersatzkat at 4:57 PM on January 9, 2006

Just wanted to add in that The company store's down comforters are pretty affordable and high quality. I bought mine there about 3 years ago and it's still going strong.

oh, and lampoil, about expensive duvet covers, if you're at all crafty, or own a sewing machine, it's really easy to make your own by sewing 2 flat sheets together.
posted by echo0720 at 5:20 PM on January 9, 2006

Speaking of bargains, if you're anywhere near a Tuesday Morning, that'd be worth a look.
posted by staggernation at 5:30 PM on January 9, 2006

Really cheap ones are feathers or, worse, chopped feathers. They're much heavier than down, and not as warm. There are a lot of sales right now. The amount of filling affects price. About has useful info.
posted by theora55 at 6:04 PM on January 9, 2006

Thanks everyone for all the helpful information.
I'm going to check out Ikea when I get a chance for the trip (anyone in Western New York who feels like driving to Canada let me know!) and do some more reading on About and the like.
I bought a few other things from Overstock ( and was really interested to hear that Steve's reveiw was not posted ) but came to the decision that if the quality is so disparate that i'll save up for the tried and true or at least something that I can try out without penalty first.
Thanks!
posted by zenigmatic at 8:01 AM on January 10, 2006

Another vote for The Company Store, here. Their down comforter lasted me 5 years. If I'd kept a cover on it to protect it, it probably would've lasted longer.

My current Macy's Eco-down comforter leaks down, which makes me sneeze, and it was much more expensive.

Non-down feathers are really hideous. If you're used to down, you won't be happy with them.
posted by ikkyu2 at 8:07 AM on January 10, 2006