Best summer duvets with a low tog to keep you cool all night long

Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson may have warbled about those summer nights, but we all know that trying to sleep in stifligly warm weather can be more of a nightmare than a rom-com.

Not only does sleeping in hot weather demand a change in bedclothes (linens and cottons are breathable, sweat-wicking and as a result, feel cooler against skin) but a change of bedding is a wise investment for summer months too. Enter the summer duvet, a lighter covering with less filling to help you nod off into blissful slumber while still feeling cocooned.

Before we show you the best summer duvets to invest in right now, here’s a quick guide to everything you need to know about them.

What is a tog exactly?

First off, togs. They’re a measurement of warmth, but more specifically, the effectiveness of the material’s ability to trap warm air within its fibres. High togs trap more air, making them warmer to burrow into when it's chilly out. In the summer, you should look out for a low tog duvet which encourages airflow and keeps you cool.

What tog rating should I look for in a summer duvet?

When shopping for a summer duvet for your bedroom, an ideal tog rating is 4.5 or less.

Does a higher tog mean the duvet is thicker?

No necessarily. You can have a plump duvet with a low tog rating, making it like a squishy, airy cloud. Thickness is down to the material.

What is the difference between natural and synthetic fillings?

Natural duvets have duck and goose feather-filling as well as down, all of which are more insulating so tend to be a lot warmer with less filling.

Meanwhile, synthetic duvets are made with polyester, which require more material for the same tog rating as a natural duvet. Synthetic options can be made from hollow fibres or microfibres, the former being a more effective way to trap warmth, the latter as a higher quality option that mimics down filling in a more lightweight fashion.

Choosing between these types of duvets comes down to personal choice, budget, and allergies - many allergy sufferers prefer synthetic duvets because they won’t trigger reactions.

Now you’re armed with all the summer duvet-buying info you’ll ever need, the only thing left for us to do is show the best super low tog rating options to buy right now.

From all-vegan, to synthetic and duck and goose feather, see our favourite summer duvets to bring the ‘whooo-aaaa’ back to your summer nights.

Devon Duvets Botanic Duvet Double Ultralight

Handmade in the UK, this duvet is our frontrunner to give you your best summer night’s sleep yet. It’s made with natural and sustainable plant-based materials; everything from the packaging to the duvet is biodegradable.

Both the outer casing and filling of this duvet contain Tencel Lyocell, a natural and ethical cellulose fibre derived from sustainable botanic sources. There’s no need to worry about keeping it clean either, just sling it into the washing machine at 30 degrees when it starts to smell a bit fusty. It comes with a Five-Year Devon Duvets Guarantee and it’s also registered by The Vegan Society.

Buy now £150.00, Devon Duvets

The Simba Hybrid Duvet

If you don’t have the funds or space to store separate seasonal duvets, Simba offers an attractive option in its Hybrid duvet. It’s designed with climate controlling technology that was originally made for astronauts, so you should expect nothing short of a stellar sleep.

The interior is made with Stratos active to regulate temperature and Aerelle® cool night fibres that work to dissipate heat, so you won’t wake up in the middle of the night in a hot sweat.

100 per cent recycled, hypoallergenic and made without any animal products.

Buy now £199.00, Simba

M&S Supremely Washable 4.5 Tog Duvet

Perfect for the warmer months, this 4.5 tog duvet is a great upgrade for your bedroom this summer. Made right here in the UK with blended silky fibres, M&S’s duvet is bulky enough to snuggle into without feeling suffocated; all the comfort of down minus the heat.

As an extra bonus, the cover is super soft and silky, helping add another layer of coolness to your bedroom environment. It’s also machine-washable at 40 degrees and quick-drying to help you keep it fresher for longer.

Buy now £29.50, M&S

Scooms Hungarian Goose Down Duvet 4.5 tog

Made with 90 per cent Hungarian goose down and 10 per cent small goose feather to add some comforting bulk, this naturally breathable duvet promises deeply blissful sleeptimes.

The 4.5 tog duvet has small snaps at the border so you can attach a Scooms 9 tog duvet to create a toasty 13.5 tog duvet for winter, or you could separate the two for a lighter cover as the seasons get warmer. Given the unpredictable nature of the British weather, this is one the best bedding investments to cuddle up with all year long.

Buy now £170.00, Scooms

Silentnight Yours & Mine duvet 7.5tog/4.5tog

If you share your bed with a partner, the Yours and Mine duvet will transform bedtimes. It’s made with different togs on each half to settle those too-hot-too-cold tiffs once and for all. The lighter side allows for more air circulation to create cool spots while the warmer 7.5 tog half has tighter stitching, to retain more heat and create a snug environment. ​

You can also pick up the Silentnight Cooler Summer Double Duvet 4.5 tog at Amazon, £23.75.

Buy now £32.00, Argos

Night Comfort Summer Cool Duvet 1.5/3 Tog

Available as a 1.5 tog or 3 tog duvet in single, double, king and superking sizes, this is a perfect duvet for sweltering nights when the humidity level is just short of being actual water. The security of a covering with the lightness of a blanket, it’s ideal for sleepers with overheating issues. When the seasons change, use it as a sofa blanket to curl up in while watching the box.

Buy now £24.99, Amazon

John Lewis & Partners Natural Light Cotton Comfort Duvet, 2.5 Tog, Double

Slightly warmer than your average blanket, this is a winning duvet for hot sleepers looking for respite over a sweltering summer. Filled with 100 per cent washed cotton, the cover is also made out of the same fibres, resulting in a beautifully cool sleep under a cover with sweat-wicking qualities.

Buy now £50.00, John Lewis

M&S Comfortably Cool 1 Tog Kingsize Duvet

Sharing a bed can present a few problems in the summer, especially if you can’t agree on the perfect sleep temperature. Cool things down in the bedroom with a 1 tog duvet that should be comfortable enough for even the warmest sleeper. If you find you need an extra layer, a blanket should be enough to keep you cosy. Made in the UK with synthetic fibres, this is a great buy for allergy sufferers.​

Buy now £39.50, M&S

Dunelm 1 Tog Duvet

This super-slim duvet is ideal for sweaty, humid nights. It’s filled with synthetic hollowfibres that give you all the padding with none of the red eyes and runny noses that can come with feathers.

And if you’re not quite convinced on investing in a second duvet just for the summer, this bargain price should be enough to push you over the edge.

Buy now £16.00, Dunelm

Slumberdown Summer Cool 4.5 Tog Duvet - Double

bid farewell to waking up a sweaty mess when you have Slumberdown’s Cool Duvet to sleep under. The 4.5 tog duvet is machine washable at 40-degrees and can be dried in the tumble dryer, so it will stay fresh all summer long. The inside is filled with 100 per cent hollowfibre filling making it non-allergenic.​

Buy now £22.00, Argos

Bettersleep Company Cool Summer Weight Microfibre Duvet 2 Tog

For just over £20, this is a superbly priced option for summer slumbering. The 2 tog duvet will help regulate temperatures as you sleep, ensuring you’ll wake feeling refreshed and ready for the day.

The duvet’s cover is made with 233 thread count fabric, helping to wick sweat from the sleep as you slumber. ​

Buy now £22.99, Amazon

Verdict

We’re giving the Botanic Duvet from Devon Duvets our top pick for superior quality as well as its sustainable credentials. The 2 - 4 tog range will do a superb job of keeping you cool all summer long.