The Real Cost of Cheap Bedding

Buying bedding seems simple enough. You find something fluffy, decently priced, and chuck it in the cart. After all, it’s just a quilt, right? 

But if you’ve ever found yourself adding a jumper at 3 am because your doona wasn’t quite doing the job, or replacing your bedding after just a couple of winters, it might be time to ask whether that initial “saving” is costing you more than expected.

At Eiderdown, we believe that the things we use every day, or every night, in this case, should be made to last. And more than that, they should actually do what they promise. So let’s break down why cheaper bedding often isn’t as good a deal as it seems.

Cheap Quilts Don’t Keep You Warm for Long

Cheap quilts often perform well enough in the warmer seasons. Come winter, though, it quickly becomes obvious that not all insulation performs the same. Synthetic quilts, commonly filled with polyester or microfibre, can trap warm air poorly or in patches. You might start off warm, but hours later find yourself pulling on extra layers or tucking the edges tighter.

That’s largely because synthetic fill lacks the breathability and natural loft of higher-quality materials. It flattens quickly, trapping heat inefficiently and unevenly. The result is an inconsistent sleep environment that leaves you either too cold, too hot, or both.

In contrast, natural fibres like duck down, goose down, and wool have proven thermal regulation properties. These materials don’t just trap heat; they distribute it evenly, adapt to your body temperature, and allow moisture to escape. This reduces overheating while keeping you properly warm when it matters. Over time, a well-made quilt doesn’t just stay warmer; it stays smartly warm, which is the difference between comfort and constant compromise.

Longevity Isn’t Just a Bonus, It’s the Point

Most cheap quilts come with an unspoken expiry date. Within two or three winters, the fill starts to break down or shift, seams loosen, and the whole thing ends up looking (and feeling) a bit like a pancake. Once the structure is compromised, so is the comfort. You replace it, only to repeat the process again in a couple of years.

This cycle can be surprisingly expensive when added up. Replacing a $100 quilt every three years over a decade? That’s $300+ not including all the interim blankets or extra heating you rely on to make up for its shortcomings.

A well-constructed goose down quilt, for example, offers a significantly longer life span, particularly when cared for correctly. These quilts maintain loft and thermal performance for decades. Wool quilts, too, are incredibly durable, holding their structure and warmth even after years of regular use. The upfront cost is higher, but the cost per year and per hour of sleep is lower. Essentially, the best value isn’t always the cheapest line on the receipt. Sometimes it’s what you don’t have to replace every few years.

Environmental and Ethical Costs Add Up Too

Beyond the monetary cost, there’s an environmental consideration to bedding that wears out quickly. A polyester-filled quilt discarded every couple of years contributes to landfills and adds to manufacturing emissions from constant replacement. Low-cost imports are often produced in high volumes, with minimal oversight around labour or environmental standards.

At Eiderdown, we take a different approach. Our duck and goose down is RDS certified (Responsible Down Standard), which means every feather used in our quilts comes from farms that meet strict animal welfare and traceability standards. RDS certification guarantees that the birds are never subjected to live-plucking or force-feeding, and that their well-being is respected throughout the supply chain. Each stage, from farm to finished quilt, is audited for ethical compliance and environmental responsibility.

Choosing better materials and construction isn’t just about personal comfort, it’s about consuming less, more responsibly. A locally-made quilt that lasts decades is one that doesn't require energy, labour and materials to be remade and re-shipped again and again.

A Fair Comparison 

We’re not here to knock other brands, but sometimes it helps to see what’s really behind a price tag. On the surface, two products can look the same (both labelled “50% duck down,” both promising warmth and comfort), yet offer very different experiences once you’re actually trying to sleep under them.

Take, for example, a 50% duck down quilt we found at a popular homeware franchise. At $280, it seems like decent value. But a closer look at the specs and the 3-star customer feedback tells a more complicated story. Several reviewers mention a lack of loft, minimal warmth, and a surprisingly “crunchy” texture. 

In comparison, our Hungarian Duck Down Summer Quilt starts at $509. Yes, it’s a higher initial cost, but what you’re buying isn’t just a quilt for the next few winters. You’re buying consistent comfort, proven longevity, and ethical transparency, backed by independently verified standards.

Here’s how they stack up:

The Real Choice: Temporary Comfort or Lasting Quality

At the end of the day, what you’re really choosing between is a short-term solution and a long-term investment. The lower-cost option may cover you for a few years, but it’s likely to lose loft, shift unevenly, and require replacing sooner than you’d like. That means more money over time, and more waste heading to the landfill.

Our quilts, on the other hand, are designed for serious longevity. People often come to us after cycling through two or three mid-range options, looking for something that actually holds up, not just through seasons, but through life stages. When properly cared for, an Eiderdown quilt can last decades, maintaining its loft, shape, and comfort night after night.

We know not every budget allows for a premium purchase up front. But if you're in a position to invest in something long-lasting, ethically made, and genuinely effective, the numbers and the nights speak for themselves.