What tog duvet is best for winter?

Last updated: 7 July 2026

The short answer

For a typical UK bedroom, a 13.5 tog duvet is the standard winter choice. If your room is well heated, 12 tog is often plenty; if you have a cold room or you really feel the chill, step up to 15 tog. Most people overestimate how much warmth they need once the heating's on, so if in doubt, start at 12-13.5 rather than the maximum.

What tog for winter, by room and sleeper

Winter tog isn't one-size-fits-all, it depends on your room temperature and how hot you sleep:

• Well-heated room, or you sleep warm: 12 tog is usually enough.
• Average UK bedroom: 13.5 tog, the classic winter duvet.
• Cold room (draughty or unheated), or you feel the cold: 15 tog.

Remember it's your room that matters, not the weather outside. A modern insulated bedroom with the heating on rarely drops as low as people assume, which is why so many end up too hot under a 15 tog.

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Is 13.5 tog too warm with the heating on?

It can be. This is the most common winter-duvet complaint: people buy the highest tog, run the central heating, and wake up throwing the covers off. If that's you, there are two fixes. Either drop to a 12 tog, or keep the 13.5 but choose a breathable filling like down, wool or a well-made microfibre, which lets excess heat escape rather than trapping it. A heavy, non-breathable duvet feels stuffier even at the same tog.

The all-seasons alternative

If you'd rather not own a separate winter duvet, an all-seasons (3-in-1) set is a smart buy. You get a 4.5 tog and a 9 tog that popper together to make 13.5 tog for the coldest months, then split them again for spring, autumn and summer. One purchase covers the whole year, and you're never stuck with a duvet that's wrong for the season.

Which filling is best for a winter duvet?

Any filling can reach a winter tog, but they feel different:

• Down gives the most warmth for the least weight, so a 13.5 tog down duvet feels light and cosy rather than heavy. Best if you dislike a weighty duvet.
• Wool regulates temperature well and suits people who run hot even in winter.
• Microfibre and hollowfibre are the budget-friendly, washable choice, at the cost of a bit more weight.

Not sure how a tog translates into filling weight, or whether to size up? Our tog to GSM converter shows what a 12, 13.5 or 15 tog means in each filling, and helps you match it to your room. If you're buying a whole new setup, check the right duvet size for your bed too.