Other than a good quality pillow and mattress, your doona is one of the most important items of bedding in terms of ensuring you get a good nights sleep.
There really are some great options on the market, however, with all the new technology and materials it can be difficult to know where to start.
To help you in your search we’ve created this buyer’s guide outlining the key things you should keep in mind when on the hunt for a doona, along with reviews of some of the best products on the market.
1. Downia Gold Collection White Goose Down Quilt (Top Pick)
A super luxurious quilt, the Gold Collection White Goose Down from Downia is created with a boxed wall construction that provides superior lofting ability.
It has a 85/15 ratio of Goose Down to small feathers, and utilises a 330 thread count sateen cotton down-proof casing.
This quilt has a high warmth rating, and is designed for use in Autumn, Spring and Winter months. It is machine washable and comes with a 10 year guarantee.
In terms of ethical considerations, Downia state that while they are not RDS or Traumpass certified, they do source their raw down and feathers in a sustainable and ethical manner.
What We Like:
- Hypoallergenic
- Very warm
- Comfortable
What We Don’t Like:
- Expensive
- Ethical concerns with down
2. Downtime Luxury High Loft Quilt
The Downtime Luxury High Loft Quilt is a great option for those that are not so keen on down but don’t want to give up its luxurious properties.
Utilising a new innovative high loft polyester fibre filling, this quilt offers down-like feel and comfort, with the added benefits of being easy care and machine washable.
The high loft filling is encase in a luxurious 375 thread count sateen cotton outer, and is treated with anti-microbial protection for freshness and defence against allergens.
With a warmth rating of 3.5/5, this quilt is suitable for all seasons. It also comes with a 5 Year Guarantee.
What We Like:
- Ethical option
- Great down alternative
- Warm and lightweight
- Affordable
- Easy care
What We Don’t Like:
- Less durable and breathable than natural fibres
3. MiniJumbuk Everyday Wool Quilt
With a 400gsm Australian wool filling, the Minijumbuk Everyday wool quilt has been designed to keep you at a comfortable sleeping temperature across the seasons.
Thanks to its ability to naturally regulate body temperature, this wool doona will suit a wide range of Australian conditions. Toasty warm yet breathable, its no wonder many people swear by this incredible natural fibre.
This quilt utilises Mini Jumbuk’s Airlight technology, allowing each layer of wool to trap more air, delivering superior insulation while remaining lighter weight than traditional wool quilts.
A luxurious 300 thread count cotton casing encloses the wool quilt, while an anti-bacterial treatment limits dust mites, making it suitable for those with allergy and asthma concerns. In terms of care, this quilt can be machine washed and tumble dried.
All Mini Jumbuk quilts come with a 5 Year Guarantee.
What We Like:
- Warm
- Breathable
- Durable
- Airlight technology reduces weight
- Hypoallergenic
What We Don’t Like:
- Heavier than other options
4. Odyssey Living Microlush Quilt (Best Value)
This all-season doona from Odyssey Living is a great wallet-friendly option.
The lightweight microfibre filling is high loft, providing luxurious comfort, while a boxed cassetted construction keeps an even distribution of filling within the quilt. The 400GSM fill makes this suitable for year-round use.
The cover is made from Japara cotton, which is a natural product cotton combined with a paraffin-based wax. The result is a high-quality, durable fabric, perfect for prolonging the life of your quilt without compromising on comfort.
Being synthetic, this quilt has hypo-allergenic properties and is also dust mite resistant.
What We Like:
- Suitable for all-season use
- Affordable
- Hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial
- Japara cotton cover
What We Don’t Like:
- May not provide warmth of other options
- Synthetic materials can be less breathable
5. Bambi Tencel Quilt
Australian owned and operated, Bambi make some of the best bedding in the country.
This quilt is made from Tencel, which is a biodegradable eucalyptus pulp sourced from sustainable harvests. It is celebrated for being soft, breathable, durable and eco-friendly.
A great option if you or your children suffer from allergies or asthma, Bambi’s Tencil quilts are hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial, and come with the Sensitive Choice seal of approval from the Australian Asthma foundation.
They are machine washable and tumble-dry-friendly, and come with a generous five year warranty.
What We Like:
- Ethical and sustainable
- Machine washable and dryer friendly
- Hypoallergenic and anti-bacterial
What We Don’t Like:
- Less suitable for those who like a heavy quilt
6. Downtime Supreme Silver Goose Quilt
Another great quilt from Downtime, the Supreme Silver Goose Quilt provides a very luxurious option for those in the market for a down doona.
The filling contains a high ratio (minimum 50%) of soft goose down clusters to feathers, providing superior insulation, warmth, and comfort. The outer is 370 Thread Count Cotton.
Marketed as a high warmth, all-season quilt, this will suit medium to cold sleepers.
Downtime state that their feathers are ethically sourced.
What We Like:
- Warm
- Comfortable
- Affordable for down
What We Don’t Like:
- Ethical concerns with down
How To Find The Best Quilt / Doona
Below are the most important considerations to watch out for on your search for the best doona to suit your needs.
Warmth
While other countries use measurements like TOG, a European rating based on thermal resistance, Australian manufacturers tend to simply provide a numerical warmth rating, and/or a season that it is most suitable for.
One decision that you will need to make is whether you want to alternate between summer and winter weight quilts, or opt for an all-season product.
Weight
Quilt weight is measured in GSM, which stands for Grams per Square Metre. The higher the GSM, the heavier it is.
Worth noting, is that GSM varies between filling types and even with the change in mix between feather and down. Therefore we recommend only using GSM to compare similar quilts.
Also, remember that quilt weight doesn’t always translate to warmth, so be sure to follow manufacturers guidance in terms of what season it is suitable for.
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Filling
Broadly speaking, the four most popular fillings are down/feather, wool, synthetic, and other natural fibres. Below we outline the pros and cons of each.
1. Down/Feather
- Pros – Warm, comfortable, lightweight, breathable
- Cons – Harder to clean, ethical considerations, expensive
2. Wool
- Pros – Natural, sustainable, breathable, warm, very durable
- Cons – Winter weight wool may be too heavy for children
3. Synthetic
- Pros – Lightweight, machine washable, lower cost, ethical benefits
- Cons – Less breathable
4. Other Natural Fibres e.g. Tencel
- Pros – Soft, natural, breathable and moisture wicking, ethical benefits
- Cons – Not always eco-friendly
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Allergens
A huge number of people suffer fom allergies that are the result of the allergens present in the droppings of dust mites, which love to live in our pillows and doonas.
Therefore, if allergies are a concern for you, be sure to choose a doona that is at least Hypoallergenic, or preferably Anti-allergy.
