Are you wondering when you should switch to a summer duvet? You're not alone. The UK's unpredictable spring and summer weather can confuse the best of us.
However, experts say there is a simple way to time the switch so that you're not overheating or shivering unnecessarily.
After all, although some of the best duvets can see us through all of the seasons without us needing to swap out our bedding (we're looking at you temperature-regulating wool duvets), most duvets have tog ratings, and a winter tog duvet will be too hot for most of us in the summertime.
Here's when to make the change to a summer duvet, according to sleep experts.
When to switch to a summer duvet
Perhaps unsurprisingly, temperature plays the biggest role in when we should switch from a winter to a summer duvet. This means that the right time to change to a summer duvet will depend on our local weather forecast. Experts say there's one key thing to look out for.
'I’d recommend changing to your summer duvet once the temperature outside stays above 15°C at night over the space of a week,' says Rex Isap, CEO of sleep brand Happy Beds. 'Naturally, this can differ depending on where you live in the UK. For example, in London, the average temperature is 15°C throughout April; however, further up north in Manchester, it doesn’t reach an average of 15°C until May.'
Using 15°C as a guideline, for most of us, that means the best time to switch to a summer duvet will be in April or May, depending on where we are in the country.
Of course, personal preference, whether or not we're a hot sleeper, and potential heatwaves play a part too; if you find you're getting too warm at night before temperatures reach 15°C, by all means, switch to your summer duvet earlier.
'Some people may feel comfortable with a thinner duvet earlier in the spring, while others may prefer to wait until we head closer towards the summer months (late June),' says Rex. 'You know your body best, so switch to a thinner duvet when you feel comfortable doing so.'
Best summer duvets
If you're wondering what duvet tog to buy for the summer months, you have two main options.
You can opt for a medium-weight wool duvet, which offers such excellent breathability and temperature regulation that it will see you through most of the seasons, or if you prefer a squishy feather and down or an easy-care synthetic duvet, look for a duvet with a tog rating somewhere between 4.5 tog and 7.5 togs.
'We recommend opting for a duvet with a tog of 4.5 - 7 for those spring and summer months,' agrees Lydia from M&S.
As Ideal Home's Sleep Editor, I've put plenty of summer duvets through their paces, and three of my tried-and-tested favourites are below.
Opting for a wool-filled duvet means you get brilliant breathability and fantastic temperature regulation. That means you'll stay cool on warm nights but still be cosy if the temperature drops.
This affordable synthetic duvet has a tog rating of 4.5, so it's a lightweight and cooler option for the summer months. It's also machine washable, making it easy to care for.
A Hungarian goose down duvet is the ultimate in luxury. Alternatively, M&S has a great range of more affordable duck feather and down duvets.
And don't worry if you jump the gun, remove your winter bedding and store your duvet away too early; there are other adjustments you can make to ensure your bedding is suitable for the seasonal changes. Blankets will be your best friend in those transitional weeks when the temperature is unstable.
'As we transition between seasons, it can be difficult to know when to swap your winter bedding out for summer bedding, especially as the weather can be so unpredictable,' says Lydia Lloyd, Textile Designer, M&S Home. 'If a cold snap comes after you’ve made the switch to your summer duvet, try adding a throw to your bedding.'
I always recommend opting for a wool blanket, such as Piglet in Bed's wool blanket collection or TBCo's wool blanket range. Wool is naturally temperature-regulating and breathable, so it will add a cosy layer of insulation without trapping heat. Or, you might want to opt for a cooler cotton or linen throw if you prefer just a light layer.
Why should you switch to a summer duvet?
If you're waking up hot and sweaty at night, you may not need any convincing that it's time to swap out your duvet for something cooler, but sleep experts are keen to explain that temperature regulation is a key ingredient to how to sleep better at night.
'It is normal and natural for our body’s temperature to drop when we sleep,' says Andrea Grace, sleep specialist at The Gentle Sleep Expert. 'So if we are too hot during the night, it affects our sleep depth and quality.'
'Overheating can prevent your body from entering and maintaining deep, restorative sleep,' confirms Dan Fabian, sleep health expert and founder of Ten PM. 'This can lead to frequent awakenings or shifts into lighter sleep stages. Deep sleep is essential for physical recovery, immune function, and overall well-being, so without sufficient deep sleep, you may wake up feeling fatigued and less refreshed.'
So, as the temperature starts to increase outside, it's important to find ways to keep the bedroom cool and to work out how to stay cool in bed. Opting for a summer duvet can help.
FAQs
When should I change my duvet to 4.5 tog?
Experts recommend switching to a 4.5 tog duvet when nighttime temperatures reach a consistent 15°C. That can be as early as April in some parts of Britain, or may not happen until May, June, or even July, in some years.
'Looking at last year’s weather statistics, the average temperature doubles between March and June, reaching its highest peaks in July and August, therefore, April is the perfect time to switch out your winter duvet for your summer one,' says Martin Gill, Bedding Expert, And So To Bed.
'In contrast, temperatures begin to decline in September, making the end of this month the ideal time to switch to a winter duvet to the bedroom.'
Is a 7.5 tog duvet OK for summer?
If you tend to sleep cool, or we're having a not-very-warm British summer then a 7.5 tog duvet can be a good choice for summer. Alternatively, if you sleep hot or we're in the midst of a heatwave, a cooler 4.5 tog option could be better. It all tends to come down to personal preference.
'Pay close attention to your own comfort and heat levels,' say the sleep experts at bedding specialists Belledorm. 'If you find yourself feeling too warm or even sweating during the night with a heavier duvet, this is then a sign that it’s time to switch to a lighter duvet.'
Is a 13.5 tog duvet too warm for summer?
Unless you sleep very cold, a 13.5 tog is likely to be much too warm for summer and is best reserved for the winter months.
'We recommend a 4.5 tog duvet for the summer months,' says Hayley Thisteton, Bedding and Sleep Expert, Sleepseeker. 'A duvet with this level of tog has less insulation so will trap less heat, keeping your body temperature at a comfortable level to minimise the risk of overheating. As well as the tog rating, look out for the duvet material, natural materials such as silk or cotton are known for providing a fresher, cooler sleeping environment.'
So there we are, everything you need to know about when to switch to a summer duvet. Will you be swapping yours over this month?
