13 Best Quilts and Coverlets, Tested and Reviewed by Our Editors

There are almost too many options when it comes to finding the best quilts and coverlets, but across the board we love them for their ability to straddle temperature extremes: the sweaty nights of summer that call for breathable fabrics and the bone-chilling winter sleeps that require some heavy layering.

Quilts and coverlets are the perfect mid-weight solution to this Goldilocks sleeping conundrum. They’re not too hefty for summer and won’t leave you in a pool of your own sweat come sunrise. In the winter, you can pull one on so you don’t wake up shivering. They also occupy the middle ground between comforters and duvets, so you don’t have to swap out your bedding more than twice a season—chances are they’ll feel just right despite the temporary fluctuations throughout the year.

Plus, there are so many choices at your disposal, from hand-stitched beauties with appliques to understated textiles of all kinds. Patchwork quilts in particular are a revered historical art form used for expression, documenting important events, and communicating. What other bedding can show up in a museum—like the multidisciplinary artist Faith Ringgold’s narrative quilts in her past “American People” exhibition at the New Museum—or document American history quite like the legendary quilters of Gee’s Bend?

Lately, we’ve been seeing throwback cabin quilts, graphic designs, and heirloom-quality linens in rich colors taking over beds, but there are also lots of high quality minimal options if you’re looking for more subtle bed covers. Below, the AD team tested and reviewed the best quilts and coverlets from retailers worth keeping on your radar, including some budget options. Rest assured: There’s something in this category to suit sleepers of all kinds.

Our Top Picks for the Best Quilts and Coverlets:

• Best All-Season Quilt: Quince European Linen Quilt, $160
• Best Linen Quilt: Brooklinen Linen Quilt, $288
• Best Cotton Quilt: Channeled Cotton Quilt, $249
• Best Splurge-Worthy Quilt: European Flax Linen Box Stitch Quilt, $329
• Best Budget Quilt: Jungalow Hamsa Quilt Set, $77 on Amazon
• Best Fashionable Quilt: Dusen Dusen Check Bedding, $240 at Design Within Reach
• Best Eco-Friendly Option: Buffy Linen Quilt, $196 at Buffy

Browse According to Category:

Best Quilts, Overall | More Quilts We Like | How We Tested | How We Chose These Quilts

Best All-Season Quilt: Quince European Linen Quilt

Tester: Megan Wahn, former associate commerce editor

“I do not ever want to leave the embrace of this quilt. As mentioned above, I absolutely love my West Elm flax quilt. I’ve had it for three years now and don’t ever want to part with it, but I’ve started entertaining back-up options in the event I need to retire the West Elm and any replacements are out of stock. This Quince quilt has officially solidified its place on the bench. It looks and feels almost exactly the same, just with a smaller box weave. Quince describes this as a mid-weight linen, which means it feels a little heavier. This initially made me anxious because I thought it’d make me feel overheated, but that was truly the opposite problem. It’s filled with polyester to give it a loft that’s reminiscent of a comforter, making it a great happy medium to those committed to the duvet or comforter life. The weight combined with the smooth linen makes the quilt feel like a sigh of comfort I never want to leave.”

Best Linen Quilt: Brooklinen Linen Quilt

Tester: Rebecca Grambone, social media manager

“If you happen to be on the lookout for your favorite ‘coastal grandma’ button-down linen top in the quilt form, Brooklinen’s Linen Quilt in White Diamond is for you. As someone who is very sensitive to certain fabric textures, I found this 100% linen quilt to be softer to the touch than most linen products I’ve come across. One of my biggest pet peeves is falling asleep feeling warm, especially in the summer months, and I was hesitant to use this product, thinking it might be on the heavier side. To my surprise, the quilt was very lightweight, super cooling, and breathable. And the high-quality elements don’t end there. The stitching showed no signs of pulling on the threads, which is always a green flag. Since the crisp white color of this simple yet stylish quilt is very neutral, I can definitely imagine it being versatile when fitting into a specific decor aesthetic. From a French country farmhouse to a prewar city apartment, this quilt is bound to look good in any space.”

Best Cotton Quilt: Schoolhouse Channeled Cotton Quilt

Tester: Mel Studach, AD PRO senior editor

“There’s something about a channeled quilt that brings to mind swinging open the linen closet door come fall and picking through the stacks of collected blankets for one more layer. Despite the style’s longevity, it still feels incredibly classic to this day. There’s just one difference with Schoolhouse’s iteration: It’s far too pretty—with its wide channeling and subtly ruched texture—to ever want to hide it away in the closet. Luckily, it’s light enough to cover the bed year-round and reversible, should you want to flip the pigment-rich side for a quieter heather-gray option as seasons change. Made of 100% cotton, the layer is nicely breathable (great news for those who sleep at a warm body temperature but still desire a quilted topper) and machine washable. Both sides are also wonderfully soft—so much so that it could double as a cozy layer on the sofa for movie nights.”

Best Splurge-Worthy Quilt: European Flax Linen Box Stitch Quilt

Tester: Megan Wahn, former associate commerce editor

“After a lifetime of duvets and comforters, West Elm’s European Flax Linen Box Stitch Quilt converted me into a quilt purist. Needless to say, I haven’t looked back since. I bought this when I moved to New York about a year ago and, like your favorite pair of jeans, it’s only gotten more comfortable in that well-loved kind of way. It’s the optimal softness and weight for all seasons—warm enough when paired with a throw blanket during the winter, but also light enough to keep me pleasantly cool in the summer—that I’ve never had to dedicate any space or time to the arduous bedding-change process whenever the weather turns. Though it’s shown very little wear over the last year, it does seem to have a few small pulls in the fabric (although, in my opinion, it kind of adds to the overall “lived-in” feel and look of the quilt). The quilt comes in a few earth-toned color options, and you can also purchase a bedding set that comes with matching shams. To me, this quilt isn’t just some big glorified blanket—it’s the safe haven I look forward to hugging around me at the end of every night, 365 days of the year.”

Best Budget Quilt: Jungalow Hamsa Quilt Set

Tester: Lizzie Soufleris, visuals editor

“After seeing her incredible cover story come together, it came as no surprise that interior designer Justina Blakeney knocked it out of the park with this quilt from her brand, Jungalow. It’s light, breathable and, of course, looks adorable in my plant-filled bedroom. The faded dusty-salmon hue is the optimal neutral-without-being-boring solid color and paired up perfectly with one of my favorite sage green linen sheet sets. Inspired by tiles from all over the world, the gauzy fabric is laced with intricate stitching. Upon closer inspection, I was pleasantly surprised at the quality of the details, especially for such an affordable price. As a die-hard duvet user (and clumsy bedside coffee drinker), I must admit that I was a little concerned about cleaning a quilt. But my trepidation turned out to be unnecessary because this one is machine washable, and you can even throw it in the dryer.”

Best Fashionable Quilt: Dusen Dusen Check Bedding

Tester: Audrey Lee, commerce editor

“I would gladly have Ellen Van Dusen design my entire world—so it should come as no surprise that Dusen Dusen’s green check coverlet takes a top spot among my favorite bedding I’ve tried (and trust me, I’ve tried a lot!). Since this coverlet set makes a statement on its own, I’ve been outfitting it with some simple and elegant linen sheets (though the brand has plenty of patterned sets that would also match beautifully). The coverlet has a lightweight design and an airy quality that’s been perfect for spring-to-summer weather, but it’s also super cozy on chillier nights when paired with a nice fuzzy throw (like this one from Kassatex). As for the textile pattern, I’ve never been more eager for bedtime. The cream-and-sea-foam palette provides just the right pop of color, while the checkerboard itself feels like a chic update on a classic motif (not to mention the delightful matching shams really tie the whole look together). The cotton material was already supremely soft straight out of the bag, but since tossing it into the laundry for a wash (just make sure you follow the care instructions!), it’s even softer and gauzier than before, making me excited to sleep with this bedding for years to come.”

Best Eco-Friendly Option: Buffy Linen Quilt

Tester: Rachel Fletcher, commerce director

“It’s been smooth sailing with this quilt since day one. I washed it straight out of the box and felt it soften immediately. I had intended to layer it over my duvet but have ended up favoring the quilt on its own. Its softness and breathability from the hemp fibers are really pleasant, and I still feel sufficiently bundled up. This quilt has a neat box-quilted pattern that feels visually interesting and almost veers into checkerboard territory. It’s available in white or oat (I chose the latter, which feels sophisticated and not too flashy if your bedroom leans more minimal, as mine does). It’s also a pretty thin layer, which I appreciate, and doesn’t feel overly heavy or suffocating. If you’re looking for a visually striking quilt, there are definitely bolder options on this list, but this is perfect for a serene setup. Looks and functionality aside, I love that hemp linen specifically has outstanding sustainability cred. I think it’s a great choice for anyone looking to upgrade their bedding without sacrificing the planet.”

Tester: Melissa Studach, senior AD Pro editor

Another option from Brooklinen, the brand’s organic cotton quilt has become a bedding staple for AD Pro editor Mel Studach. It’s become a “mainstay for every season.” She’ll layer it over her sheets during the summer or add it to her duvet when the temperature drops. “It’s snuggly soft and breathable, while offering a nicely weighted layer—light enough to move freely, but dense enough to make you want to linger in bed just a bit longer,” Mel says. It’s also got a nice visual appeal with a subtle striped quilt pattern.

Tester: Madeleine Luckel, design editor

This coverlet from AD-favorite retailer Parachute features a ribbed stitch pattern that mimics a traditional French weave—but subdued hue gives it a minimalist spin. “Its oatmeal-y color is a nice, natural neutral, but its stitched details are the true hero attribute,” says reviewer Madeleine Luckel. The cotton fabric is totally machine-washable, so anyone hooked on the duvet cover life can rest easy without any cleaning fears. Since it’s a lightweight coverlet, this would probably fit better for the warmer months or as a neutral “throw quilt” rather than a year-round bedding option.

Tester: Lori Keong, associate commerce director

For hot sleepers, the idea of nestling up under a quilt every night might seem oppressive. For our associate commerce director, who tends to kick off the covers in summer, Tuft & Needle's airy cotton-linen blend was just the right balance of heft (“heavier than just a top sheet for comfort, but lightweight enough to drift off comfortably”) and breathability to get her through the worst that New York City humidity could threw her way. She tends to use the quilt in summer and swap out for a comforter in winter, and refreshes it with a wash every few weeks during warm seasons— without any discoloration or damage to speak of. Though the brand doesn’t sell her exact favorite colorway anymore (a crowd-pleasing, minimalist white color), you can still scoop it up in some neutrals and brighter hues like “cayenne” red and an out-of-stock mustard.

Tester: Abid Haque, contributor

Need a coverlet that can double as a cozy blanket for winter movie nights? Abid Haque says the Sunday Citizen Herringbone coverlet—which also helped him finally end his relationship with duvets—can do just that. It’s double-sided, with a cotton and viscose top and soft, snuggly microfiber underside. Abid says this helps it “seamlessly transition from warmer months to colder ones,” and its minimalist color and design blends perfectly with his room.

Tester: Terri Williams, contributor

According to one of our longtime testers and contributors Terri Williams, “this coverlet feels as good as it looks.” She bought the midnight blue color—what can she say, she was in a “blue phase”—and loved how luxurious the dark color’s soft sheen looked on her bed. She notes that the quilt feels super soft to touch without feeling oppressive, and adds warmth without too much additional weight so she doesn't have to worry about overheating.

Tester: Rachel Fletcher, commerce director

While cotton reigns supreme as the ultimate breathable, yet hardy material for quilts, it does have a cousin of sorts called “cotton gauze” that maximizes the lightweight factor and lands it somewhere closer to linen. Fletcher owns a Morrow quilt made of the fabric and says, “If you’re thinking ‘cotton gauze’ sounds too dreamy to be true, you should definitely experience this Morrow Soft Goods quilt for yourself.” She calls out the “superior” handfeel and percale backing that gives the underside of the quilt both a heft and a cooling quality. Though it’s not a 100% gauze quilt, Fletcher says she still appreciates the craftsmanship and attention to detail. She's only had this quilt for a few weeks and uses it layered under a duvet insert for some extra warmth in this single digit weather. Still, she sees it as being a contender for the long haul. “I've put it through the washing machine once—but I have a feeling it's going to be a staple in my bedroom for a long time to come,” she adds.

Sleep is such a subjective experience that it’s tough to crown any one bed cover, or even a small crop of them, as the best for every sleeper on the planet. But for a range of editors and contributors at AD, there were certain qualities that felt universal. We had sleepers of all sorts test quilts and coverlets for the following metrics:

• Superior handfeel: This sounds pretty straightforward and it is. How does it feel up against your body, or straight out of the box? It is soft or coarse to the touch?
• Breathability: How well does the material breathe and does it make you overheat at night?
• Ease of Cleaning: Especially for something that you sleep under all year long, can you pop it in the washing machine, or is it a spot treat only situation?
• Longevity: Does it start fraying or stain easily? Does a single spin cycle make it lose its luster?
• Warmth: Is it the kind of thing you keep year-round, or do you swap it out for a warmer comforter when the chill sets in?

We test these for at least a few weeks to get a sense of how they feel to snooze under, then aim to get them in the wash for at least one spin cycle to see how they hold up over time. Our list has also gone through several rounds of edits as successive notes on durability have come in since.

Over the years since we started reviewing quilts, we’ve called in nearly two dozen options from popular bedding retailers like Brooklinen, Parachute, and Buffy, with some smaller retailers in the mix that felt right up our alley.

Since shoppers usually search for quilts according to fabric and warmth, we designated our favorite quilts across categories like price points and material, along with singling out a specific all-season quilt that earned top marks from our testers. From there, we layered in more niche designations like eco-friendly production processes and style chops.

Our top picks and runners-up are all reviewed by AD editors and contributors, and runner-ups were pinpointed as options that may have missed the mark if they weren’t easy to clean or seemed to offer less value. Other picks that didn’t make the cut entirely felt less accessible for the average budget or weren’t that breathable or easy to clean. Over the years, we’ve also delisted picks that were out of stock, came from brands that were unreliable with stock, or didn’t hold up well over time after successive washes (and yes, we do keep that in mind as we keep this list updated!).