The 10 best quilts to keep you warm and cozy, according to experts
Different from comforters and blankets, quilts add both warmth and a rustic feel to bedrooms.
Parachute Linen Box Quilt
$215.00
$269.00
I interviewed three experts who specialize in textiles and interior design. They recommend keeping the following in mind while shopping for the best quilts:
We curated some of the best quilts on the market, which we chose using our expert’s advice on materials, construction techniques and functionality. All of the quilts on this list are either direct recommendations from our experts or top sellers with at least a 4.4-star average rating from more than 200 reviews on their brand sites. We also included a range of colors and patterns to suit varying style preferences.
The Parachute box quilt uses Oeko-Tex standard-certified percale cotton (more on what that means below) on the underside and a polyester batting fill, making it a breathable, easy-to-wash option. However, its outermost layer is made from 100% linen, which gives your bed a laid-back, modern appearance. (Linen’s also highly breathable and great for hot sleepers, according to experts in our guide to the best cooling sheets.) It has box stitching so it’s machine washable, plus its medium weight is ideal for layering, according to the brand.
Cover material: cotton and linen | Batting material: polyester | Sizes: twin/twin XL, full/queen, king/California king | Color options: 8
Made from long-staple cotton on both sides, this Brooklinen quilt is designed to be a lighter alternative to a comforter, so you can use it alone in hot weather or layer it over other bedding when temperatures drop. Each one takes six days to make since it’s hand-stitched by artisans, but it’s still durable enough for the washing machine, according to Brooklinen. Instead of traditional box stitching, the dotted-line stitches give it a more contemporary appearance.
Cover material: cotton | Batting material: cotton | Sizes: full/queen, king/California king | Color options: 3
Whereas most quilts on this list cost a few hundred dollars, this California Design Den quilt is available in most sizes and colors for less than $100. That said, it’s still made from 100% cotton, both inside and out, and comes with two matching shams. Despite the quilt being hand-stitched, it’s durable enough to machine-wash and tumble dry on low, according to the brand.
Cover material: cotton | Batting material: cotton | Sizes: crib, twin/twin XL, queen, king | Color options: 8
This quilt comes recommended by Lauren Farrell, head of interior design for Pacaso, a company that facilitates co-ownership and management of luxury vacation homes. Farrell designs all Pacaso home interiors, which includes choosing the linens and bedding, and Annie Selke quilts are one of her favorites. This one has linen on the front, cotton percale on the back and lightweight polyester batting inside. It also has tight diamond stitching on both sides, making it iron-safe and machine-washable, according to the brand.
Cover material: linen and cotton | Batting material: polyester | Sizes: twin, full/queen, king | Color options: 6
Farrell also loves quilts from The Citizenry because they add warmth to her spaces with their unique, handmade designs. This top-selling linen quilt is fair-trade crafted in Portugal using traditional techniques and Oeko-Tex-certified flax, so it’s breathable enough for summer but layerable for winter, according to the brand. You can also machine wash it using a mild detergent and tumble dry it on low. It’s available in both solid colors and striped patterns, all with large box stitching for a classic look.
Cover material: linen | Batting material: polyester | Sizes: twin, full/queen, king/California king | Color options: 15
For cold sleepers, Ijaz recommends cotton materials woven into a denser fabric. This Threshold quilt is made from cotton that’s been tufted into a velvet finish, so it’s soft, warm and cozy, according to reviewers. Its vertical stitching (also known as channel stitching) has a modern look that keeps the polyester fill in place at night and while machine-washing, as detailed on the brand’s website.
Cover material: cotton | Batting material: polyester | Sizes: full/queen, king | Color options: 10
L.L. Bean’s most popular quilt, the Botanical Border, is made using 100% cotton for both the fabric and batting. As a result, you can machine-wash and line-dry it, according to the brand. Reviewers say it’s lightweight, but warm and temperature-regulating enough for cooler weather. The brand also makes matching quilted pillow shams, though they’re sold separately.
Cover material: cotton | Batting material: cotton | Sizes: twin, full/queen, king | Color options: 1
This quilt is made entirely from Oeko-Tex-standard certified cotton, which is the most recommended material among our experts. Its color-blocked design, mirrored floral patterns, heavier weight and lived-in texture all aim to mimic traditional quilts, according to Schoolhouse. The quilt, which has over 200 five-star reviews, is safe for machine-washing with cold water; you can tumble dry it on low, and iron it with warm heat too.
Cover material: cotton | Batting material: cotton | Sizes: twin, full/queen, king | Color options: 3
Love’s Cabin quilts have an intricate coin-pattern stitching but with an overall durable construction that will withstand multiple washes and turns in the dryer, according to the brand. Available in a wide array of shades, the quilt is perfect to have year round. In the summer, you can simply sleep with the quilt alone and in colder months, you can pair it with a thick comforter for added warmth.
Cover material: microfiber | Batting material: polyester | Sizes: twin, full/queen, king and California king | Color options: 25+
While it’s technically a coverlet (more on the difference between quilts and coverlets below), this chunky, wool blanket from The Citizenry is plush and textured like a quilt, but made entirely from wool, which is temperature-regulating and easy to maintain, according to our experts. It’s handwoven in Uruguay, and has a pebbled texture with tassels on the end, according to the brand.
Cover material: wool | Batting material: N/A | Sizes: throw, bed throw | Color options: 1
Quilts consist of three layers stitched together: a layer of fabric on the bottom, a layer of filling inside and a layer of fabric on the top. When shopping for any kind of bedding, you should prioritize the materials first and foremost, after which you should consider the durability, ease of maintenance and appearance, according to our experts. Our experts recommend using the following criteria to help you pick a quilt:
A quilt’s cover material should be comfortable, washable and suited to your sleep preferences,. These are the most common quilt cover materials and their benefits:
Like sheets and other bedding, quilt cover materials are woven into various fabrics, which affects the texture and weight of the cover — and cotton is one of the most versatile, according to our experts. For example, hot sleepers can opt for cotton percale, which is cooling due to its consistent airflow and sweat-wicking abilities, while colder sleepers should choose denser weaves (like sateen or velvet), which keeps warmth in without hindering breathability, says Ijaz.
The quality of a quilt’s stitching shouldn’t be overlooked, as the stitching holds the top layer, the batting and the bottom layer together, says Ijaz. While companies may use varying techniques and shapes (such as boxes, diamonds, waves, dotted lines or channels), “the strength of the fabric and fibers will determine durability and longevity,” and natural, reinforced fabrics tend to be the strongest, says Ijaz.
Batting is the padding inside each quilted section, which gives the quilt additional plushness, weight and warmth. The quilts on this list either have cotton or polyester batting. (According to Lewenhaupt, lightweight polyester is one of the easiest fillings to clean, so while we’ve skipped polyester covers, we’ve included quilts with polyester batting.)
Quilts are often the outermost layer of your bedding, so shoppers should choose colors and patterns that complement their design aesthetic, says Farrell. Ijaz also says that since quilts are lightweight and easy to swap out seasonally, they can offer the perfect pop of color to change up your bedroom style on a whim.
You want your bedding to be cozy and comfortable, but you also want it to last. As opposed to most comforters, many quilts are thin and lightweight enough to fit in your residential washing machine, says Farrell. For that reason, you should prioritize quilts made with machine-washable fabrics and durable stitching, so you can keep them fresh despite regular use, according to our experts.
Some quilts should be hand-washed and primarily used as decor, like for example, quilts with delicate fabric and embroidery, says Lewenhaupt. To clean these types of quilts or to freshen up your bedding in between washes, Lewenhaupt recommends using a steamer to remove bacteria and unwanted odors before freshening up the outer material with a few spritzes of fabric spray. For functional quilts, washing instructions differ depending on the materials, so read the care label beforehand; you can wash most quilts on a gentle cycle and air-dry them on a clothesline to avoid damaging the padding, says Lewenhaupt.
Coverlets and quilts are often grouped together due to their thinner profile and sometimes stitched appearance. However, coverlets are made from a single layer of fabric and don’t have any batting inside, which makes them thinner and lighter than quilts.
At NBC Select, we work with experts who have specialized knowledge and authority based on relevant training and/or experience. We also take steps to ensure all expert advice and recommendations are made independently and without undisclosed financial conflicts of interest.
Maria Cassano is a contributor at NBC Select, where she write reviews and roundups, including the best duvet covers, mattress toppers and comforters.
Cory Fernandez is a commerce editor at NBC Select, where he reports on bedding, mattresses, home and kitchen.
To find the best quilts, Cassano spoke with two textile experts and an interior designer for shopping advice and their personal recommendations. Both Cassano and Fernandez contributed to a list of products that align with the experts’ guidance.
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