Duck Down vs Goose Down: What’s the Difference?

Are you in search of the perfect pillow or duvet? At the Secret Linen Store, we understand that a restful night's sleep starts with the right bedding. Among the myriad of fluffy filling options available, including wonderful wool and special synthetic fillings, delightful down remains a favourite for many.

In this guide, we'll explore the differences between our luxurious duck down and goose down bedding products, helping you choose the best option for your needs.

What is Duck Down?

A favourite for those who are looking to add a little luxury to their bedroom, duck down is a cosy option. Duck down is the soft, insulating fluff beneath a duck's feathers. This fine material traps air to keep ducks warm in cold conditions. When used in our premium duvets, duck down provides exceptional warmth and comfort, making those chilly nights a thing of the past.

What is Goose Down?

A more decadent filling than duck, goose down bedding is the best option for anyone who wants a revitalising snooze. Like duck down, goose down consists of soft, insulating clusters. However, since geese are larger than ducks, their down clusters are bigger, offering even greater insulation and comfort.

The Benefits of Down Bedding

Understanding why down is a top choice for luxury bedding can help you appreciate its value.

Here are three key benefits:

Down is Oh So Soft

Down is fine and light, making it gloriously soft. It’s also flexible to avoid uncomfortable clumping.

Temperature Regulation

Down's natural crisscross pattern traps air, providing warmth in the winter and breathability in the summer. Its moisture-wicking properties also help maintain a comfortable sleeping temperature year-round.

Our guide on bedding across the seasons can give you some more advice on achieving a perfect sleep temperature year-round

Down is Good for Our Planet

Choosing down is an environmentally conscious decision. As a natural by-product, it reduces waste and offers a sustainable alternative to synthetic fillings.

Duck Down vs. Goose Down: Making the Right Choice

Now that you know the benefits of down, let's compare duck down and goose down to help you make a cosy decision.

Which is Warmer?

The warmth of down is measured by its fill power—the space an ounce of down occupies. Higher fill power means better insulation. Duck down has a fill power between 500 and 700, providing good warmth. Goose down, however, boasts a fill power between 600 and 900, making it the warmer option.

Which is Softer?

High fill power also means amazing softness, with the air pockets making the clusters of down fluffier and bouncier. In the battle of softness, goose down wins over duck down yet again.

Odour

Concerns about odours are understandable with animal products. Goose down typically has a neutral smell due to the geese's vegetarian diet and cleaner living conditions.

For more tips on fresh-smelling bedding, refer to our care guide.

Cost

While both types of down are luxurious, goose down tends to be more expensive due to its superior qualities. For a more budget friendly option, duck down provides excellent warmth and comfort at a lower price point.

Explore Our Down Bedding Collection

At the Secret Linen Store, we're proud to offer a range of duck down and goose down duvets and pillows, along with an array of other blissful bedding products.

If you need more advice on choosing the right bedding materials, visit our blog for a wealth of tips, or contact us directly—we're always here to help!