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There are almost too many options when it comes to finding the best quilts and coverlets. It feels like every brand has its own take on the best design, material, and/or construction. In our opinion, you want something that can tackle temperature extremes: the slightly sweaty nights of summer when you want a little blanket and the bone-chilling winter sleeps that require some heavy layering. Quilts, in my personal experience, are the best mid-weight solution to this Goldilocks sleeping conundrum. They’re the ideal weight for summer and won’t leave you in a pool of sweat every morning; and in the winter you can just throw one on top so you don’t wake up shivering. Quilts and coverlets hit a precious space between comforters and duvets, and they can fit whatever need you might have.
You don’t want to be swapping out your bedding more than twice a season (if that), which is where the beauty of the following picks comes into play—since quilts are a super versatile, sweet spot top layer—chances are it’ll stay comfortable as the temperature fluctuates over the year. First, choose if you want to go with a pattern or a solid. Lately, we’ve been seeing throwback florals, graphic designs, and heirloom-quality linen designs in rich colors taking over beds, but there are also lots of high quality options if you’re looking for something more subtle and neutral. Then, pick your material. From rich velvet to gauzy cotton to heavyweight linen, the world is your bedding oyster.
Our favorite quilts and coverlets span best-selling designs, machine washable options, bold patterns, and linens that only get better the more you sleep on it. If you’re looking for some inspiration, here are our top picks:
Our Top Picks:
- Best Texture: Brooklinen Linen Quilt, $288 at Brooklinen
- Best Cotton Quilt: Channeled Cotton Quilt, $249 at Schoolhouse
- Best Linen Quilt: European Flax Linen Box Stitch Quilt, $329 at West Elm
- Best Quilt for Comforter Purists: European Linen Quilt, $160 at Quince
- Most Fashionable Quilt: Dusen Dusen Check Bedding, $240 at Design Within Reach
- Best Eco-Friendly Option: Buffy Linen Quilt, $196 at Buffy
- Most Colorful Quilt: Jungalow Kahelo Quilt Set, $77 on Wayfair
Unlike other types of bedding, quilts—specifically patchwork quilts—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?
Whether you’re looking for a work of art to function as a home decor element or something to make you feel cozy for all 12 months of the year, the Clever team tested and reviewed the best quilts and coverlets from retailers on the market worth keeping on your radar, including the best budget options.
Best Texture: Brooklinen Linen Quilt
- Sizes: Full/Queen, King/Cali King
- Colors: White, cream, charcoal
Tester: Rebecca Grambone, associate 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
- Sizes: Twin, Full/Queen, King size
- Colors: Alder, channeled blue, channeled ochre, channeled grey
Tester: Melissa Studach, associate 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 Linen Quilt: European Flax Linen Box Stitch Quilt
- Sizes: Full/Queen, King size
- Colors: White, natural flax, frost gray, slate melange, graphite, dark olive, cedar, celadon, silver mist melange, ocean, midnight, lilac melange, adobe rose, shell pink, terra-cotta melange, amber, dijon
Tester: Megan Wahn, associate commerce editor
After a lifetime of duvets and comforters, West Elm’s European Flax Linen Box Stitch Quilt convert ed 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 Quilt for Comforter Purists: Quince European Linen Quilt
- Sizes: Twin, Full, Queen, King, California King
- Colors: White, ivory, sand, willow leaf, aloe, light grey, desert sunset, terracotta, charcoal, soft blush, tobacco, mist, sage, bordeaux, dust mauve, dusty blue
Tester: Megan Wahn, 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.
Most Fashionable Quilt: Dusen Dusen Check Bedding
- Sizes: Twin, Queen, King size
- Colors: Blue, beige check
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
- Sizes: Full/Queen, King/California King
- Colors: White, oat
Tester: Rachel Fletcher, senior commerce editor
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.
Most Colorful Quilt: Jungalow Kahelo Quilt Set
- Sizes: Full/Queen, King
- Color: Coral
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.