I found a temperature control duvet that's perfect for spring – but is it worth the price?
Simba’s Hybrid Duvet is a great option if you’re willing to spend a little more and is a particularly good choice if you are tired of waking up too hot or freezing cold at night
What we love
- Non-clumping design
- Machine washable casing
- Free storage bag for the duvet
- Use of environmentally-conscious materials
What we don't
- Pricier than some cooling duvets
Simba is a name you most likely recognise from its mattress range, which offers next-day delivery and a 100-night guarantee. Having been the proud owner of a Simba mattress (the Hybrid Ultra) for two years, I’m already a fan of the brand, but I was keen to see if their bedding (a range of pillows, duvets and mattress toppers) could upgrade my sleep set-up that little bit further.
The Simba Hybrid duvet is one of three on sale from the brand. It is kitted out with temperature-regulating material that claims to keep you cool when you’re too hot and warm when things are chilly. It’s a good compromise for couples like my partner and me, who simultaneously run hot and cold at night. Simba also offers a summer-specific Hybrid Duvet for when the weather heats up.
Unlike traditional feather and down duvets, this one gets its softness from a synthetic down-like fibre filling made from recycled plastic bottle fibres (so it’s a great eco-friendly option). It’s designed to feel soft and airy while providing gentle warmth and encouraging airflow.
Of course, Simba isn’t the only brand offering temperature-regulating bedding. Emma similarly has its 4-Seasons Duvet, which claims to have similar benefits and is £131 full price. But I was particularly drawn to the Simba alternative based on its five-star review from shoppers, many of whom applauded its ability to regulate temperature year-round.
Simba’s Hybrid Duvet retails for £139 for a single duvet, with the price increasing to £199 for a double and £249 for a king. So, I put it to the test to find out if it’s worth the hype.
How it works
The Hybrid consists of two layers (much like the Hybrid pillow). One side uses Simba’s temperature-regulating fabric (which they call “Stratos”). This side is easy to identify, as it has a grey cube-like pattern and blue piping that runs around the edge.
The other side is all about comfort: a synthetic down-like layer made from synthetic material made from recycled plastic. The outer fabric is made with fresh cotton, which Simba says increases breathability.
The duvet is stitched into squares to prevent clumping and is machine washable.
How we tested
We tested the Simba Hybrid Duvet by sleeping with it for two months to determine whether it was worth the money. The transitional time of year meant the weather began to warm up throughout the trial period, meaning I got a good idea of how the duvet could benefit cold and warm nights.
To maximise testing the temperature, I also asked my partner to weigh in with his opinion on how the duvet helped him sleep.
Finally, considering these elements, I considered the price of the duvet and compared it with the cost of similar products on the market.
Simba Hybrid Duvet review
Like many of Simba’s other products, the Simba Hybrid Duvet is available for free next-day delivery if you order by 2pm. As anticipated, mine arrived promptly, meaning I didn’t have to wait long to say goodbye to my old duvet and hello to (what I hoped would be) a luxurious night of perfectly temperate sleep.
The duvet arrived in a lightweight zippable storage bag, perfect for swapping to an even lighter duvet when the peak summer arrives. On the first touch, it certainly felt more luxurious and soft than my previous, well-loved IKEA cover. The fabric is stitched into squares (which Simba says is to prevent clumping), and the gentle plumpness this creates reminded me of hotel bedding.
We ordered a king size, measuring 225 x 220cm, and found it fit perfectly in our duvet cover. But the real test was how good it would be at night.
The Hybrid didn’t feel overly heavy, despite being a 10.5 tog, yet it was still cosy to snuggle down beneath at night. Having slept on a Simba mattress for so long, I was confident it would be comfortable (and I wasn’t let down). Still, I was a little sceptical about the temperature-regulating technology.
But, much like the Hybrid pillow, I was pleasantly surprised to find that you can actually feel the temperature difference when comparing one side to the other. Once it’s inside the duvet cover, however, it does become difficult to figure out which side is which.
That means there have been a few nights when we’ve accidentally slept under the comfort side, rather than the cooling side, and as the weather heated up, the difference was noticeable. My partner, who is always too hot at night (even in the winter months), said he really felt the benefits of the temperature control layer.
However, the 10.5 tog might be too much once the peak summer months arrive, so we’d probably benefit from switching to the summer Hybrid Duvet.
Simb Hybrid Duvet Final Verdict
There are cheaper duvets out there, but Simba's Hybrid Duvet is worth the £139 investment if you want to upgrade your bedtime experience. Yes, you can get one from IKEA’s cooling range for a fraction of the cost, but compared to our previous £50 one, Simba’s version feels so much more luxurious.
The duvet is stitched into squares, which means it doesn’t bunch up at night and stays precisely where it should be within the cover. I also love that you can pop it straight into the washing machine when it needs a clean.
The temperature control layer makes it an excellent choice for winter and spring (just make sure you sleep with the cooling layer side facing downwards). However, when summer rolls around, the 10.5 tog might still be a little too hot, even with the cooling fabric's help.
The temperature control layer makes it an excellent choice for the winter and spring
If the price tag seems a little too daunting, Simba offers a number of deals, discounts and sales throughout the year. They also offer mattress and bedding bundles at a discounted price during select periods if you want to overhaul your sleep set-up.
Right now (though for a limited time), the Simba duvet is discounted from £139 to £118.15.
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