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As the sleep and wellness editor for the Good Housekeeping Institute, I spend a lot of time lying down, testing out the latest sleep-enhancing innovations, from AI-powered mattress toppers to vibrating eye masks and breathwork devices.
But sometimes you have to go back to basics, which is where the best duvets come in. And one product that has genuinely transformed my sleep – I recommend it to anyone who will listen– is the Simba Summer Hybrid Duvet.
You don't just have to take my word for it either – our experts have tested 74 duvets in the lab to date and this Simba design is our winner, scoring a near flawless 98/100. It has featured as a stand-out buy in our annual Sleep Awards for two years on the trot.
What sets it apart, you ask? Before you *add to basket*, read on for everything you need to know.
The Simba Summer Hybrid Duvet at a glance
Key specifications
| Fabric | Polyester filling, cotton cover with Stratos finish ono one side |
|---|---|
| Sizes available | Single, double, king, super king |
| Care | Wash at 40C, tumble dry on low, don't dry clean |
According to the brand, the 4.5 tog duvet is “designed for soothing comfort, even on balmy nights”. It features Stratos ‘cool-touch’ technology, Simba Renew Bio™ fibres for down-like comfort without overheating, and a cotton cover for ultimate breathability. It’s also stitched into squares to prevent clumping, and is machine washable at 40C.
Thanks to its cooling capabilities (it provides an instant cooling sensation and draws heat away from the body), it carries the GenM Menopause Friendly symbol, which means it can help ease one or more of the 48 most common menopause symptoms.
Read more: Best mattresses | Best mattress toppers | Best bed frames | Best pillows
My verdict
I was impressed with the Simba Summer Hybrid Duvet from the start. As you’d expect from a B Corp brand, the packaging is 100% recyclable, and the duvet comes in a neat protective storage bag – which is handy if you want to swap to something weightier during the winter months.
The fabric feels super soft and, thanks to the Simba Renew Bio™ fibres (which are made from recycled plastic bottles), the duvet has that plush, luxurious down-like feel you need at the end of a long day. Plus, the filling is distributed evenly and remains in place overnight, without any bunching or gathering.
Crucially, the temperature-regulating tech works a treat. Climbing into bed, the underside feels noticeably cool, and it somehow stays like that all night long. As a hot sleeper, I tend to wake up in the middle of the night (in a pool of sweat) to kick off the covers, but that’s not necessary with this Simba design. It doesn’t weigh me down like other duvets I’ve tried and keeps me snug without getting hot and bothered. It’s honestly a revelation.
Though it’s designed specifically for summer, it does an excellent job of regulating temperature and provides cosy comfort during the chillier months, too. Even my husband, who doesn’t run hot at night, thought it was warm enough on colder nights.
I love that you can pop it in the washing machine to keep it in tip-top condition (no need to worry about coffee spillages), although it does require a fair bit of time to air dry. It doesn’t come cheap, either, but if you struggle with night sweats – whether it’s down to the menopause, your monthly cycle, or a heat wave – I can’t recommend it highly enough. It's the only duvet I'll be using for the foreseeable future.
Not sure if it’s right for you? Simba offers a 30-night trial so you can test it out before fully committing.
The Good Housekeeping Institute verdict
Pros
- Extremely soft and comfy
- Storage bag included
- Excellent temperature regulation
Cons
- On the pricier side
The Summer Hybrid Duvet was a big hit with our testing panel. In fact, they loved it so much, 100% said they'd continue using it after the trial and would recommend it to others.
Like me, they found it highly soft and comfortable to snuggle up under, with one saying it was “like sleeping in a fluffy cloud”. The ultimate stamp of approval.
Panellists also rated it highly for performance, with many hot sleepers saying it stopped them waking up in a pool of sweat each night and it improved their sleep overall. Though it’s lightweight and breathable, our panel (who tested it in February) also confirmed it was cosy enough to keep them warm and comfortable throughout the year.
In our in-house tests, our experts found it was easy to unpack and slipped inside a duvet cover with no fuss. The washing instructions are clear, and there was minimal shrinkage or colour change after three goes in the machine. No sweat.
More solutions for sweaty sleepers
Score: 89/100
Made from lightweight Tencel material, these cooling pyjamas are ultra breathable and wick away moisture to keep you cool and comfortable while you rest. They come in a range of snazzy patterns, too.
Score: 85/100
Ideal for travel, simply slip this great-value gel pad into your pillowcase and enjoy instant cooling relief around the head and shoulders. You can even pop it in the fridge to keep you comfortable on those particularly hot, sweaty nights.
Score: 80/100
If you want to enjoy the calming effects of a weighted blanket without overheating, this is a good pick. It's designed to provide comfort while you're lounging on the sofa or lying in bed and it comes with a storage bag.
Still sleepy?
- How often should you wash your sheets? We’ve got the answer – plus tips on how to give your bed linen a deep clean.
- These are the best pillow mists to spritz on your pillow before slumber, according to our editors.
Priyankaa is our sleep and wellness expert, specialising in expert-tested reviews and roundups on the latest health and fitness products. From walking boots to running machines, Priyankaa has written about hundreds of products and is passionate about providing in-depth, unbiased reviews. Plus, as an avid runner and gymgoer, she knows exactly what to look for when finding the right gymwear, fitness tracker or earphones.
Priyankaa has an MA in Magazine Journalism from Cardiff University and over five years’ experience in health and fitness journalism. Priyankaa has written for Stylist’s Strong Women Training Club, where she regularly wrote about diversity in the fitness industry, nutrition tips, training advice and her experience completing various fitness challenges. She has also written for a variety of publications including Business Insider, Glamour, Bustle, Metro, HuffPost UK, gal-dem and more. Outside of work, Priyankaa can usually be found trying out a new gym class, seeking out London's best eats or watching a Spanish TV show in a bid to keep up her language skills.
Kim Hawley is our health and fitness product tester. Her career in fitness has spanned over 30 years. Prior to joining the Good Housekeeping Institute, she worked as a personal trainer, writer and fitness instructor for some of London’s most prestigious health clubs, including The Harbour Club, David Lloyd and The Chelsea Club. Passionate about women’s health and fitness, especially in pre/post menopause, she is also a Level 4 PT and holds a professional nutritional qualification. Kim is responsible for rigorously testing everything from cross trainers to smart watches.
