If you’re in the market for a new comforter, you may have come across Pottery Barn’s Dream Brushed Cotton comforter. With its soft brushed cotton fabric and plush fill, it promises hotel-worthy comfort night after night.
But before you make the investment, you’re probably wondering – is it really worth the splurge?
I recently purchased the Dream Brushed Cotton comforter for my bedroom and have been sleeping with it for several weeks now. Below I’ll share my detailed review, including the pros and cons, so you can decide if it’s the right comforter for your bed.
Overview of the Dream Brushed Cotton Comforter
The Pottery Barn Dream Brushed Cotton comforter is designed to be soft, breathable, and ultra-warm. Here are some of the key features:
- Shell material: 100% cotton with a brushed finish
- Fill material: Down alternative – a blend of polyester fibers and cotton batting
- Construction: Baffle box stitching to keep fill evenly distributed
- Warmth level: Designed to provide medium warmth
- Available sizes: Twin, Full/Queen, King
- Price range: $119-$229 depending on size
I purchased the Full/Queen size in white, which currently retails for $179 on the Pottery Barn website.
Pros of the Dream Brushed Cotton Comforter
After several weeks of use, here are the main benefits I’ve experienced with this comforter:
- Soft and Cozy Brushed Cotton Shell
The #1 pro of this comforter is the softness. The brushed cotton shell feels luxuriously smooth against your skin. The fabric is medium weight – not too heavy or too light. I find it’s just right for curling up under on cooler nights.
The cotton also has a bit of natural breathability, which helps regulate temperature. I haven’t experienced any issues with overheating.
- Fluffy Fill Provides Warmth Without Weight
Although medium warmth, the comforter feels nicely lightweight thanks to the fluffy down alternative fill. It provides warmth without feeling overly heavy or causing sweating.
I’d say the comforter is ideal for year-round use in average room temperatures. In cooler weather, layering a blanket on top gives extra coziness. And in summer, using just the brushed cotton cover gives breathability.
- Evenly Distributed Fill
The baffle box construction does an excellent job keeping the fill evenly distributed. After weeks of use, I haven’t experienced any lumping or shifting of the fill.
- Classic, Versatile Styling
Available in white, gray, or ivory, the comforter has a simple aesthetic that works with a wide variety of bedroom decors – from traditional to modern.
I appreciated that the white comforter I chose looked nice right out of the package – no need to wash it prior to putting it on the bed.
The muted solid colors also make it easy to build a bedding set around by adding accent pillows, blankets, sheets, etc.
- Machine Washable
Being able to toss the whole comforter in the wash makes cleaning a breeze. After machine washing and drying according to the instructions, it came out fresh and fluffy.
Cons of the Dream Brushed Cotton Comforter
While generally pleased with the comforter, there are a few downsides to note:
- Expensive Price Point
There’s no getting around the fact that this comforter comes with a premium price tag. $179 for a Full/Queen comforter is on the high end. You can certainly find cheaper down alternative comforters from other brands.
However, the exceptional softness and quality construction do help justify the price if it fits within your budget.
- Can Get Too Warm
As mentioned earlier, this comforter provides medium warmth. However, some sleepers may find it too insulating, especially in warmer environments or seasons.
I occasionally felt a bit warm using it by itself during early fall when temperatures were still mild. For optimal comfort year-round, you may need to switch out lighter summer bedding.
- Minor Pilling
After about 3 weeks of use, I noticed some minor pilling on the surface of the comforter. This is likely due to the brushed cotton fabric. It’s not excessive but worth noting for those wanting a 100% flawless appearance long-term.
Who Is The Dream Brushed Cotton Comforter Best For?
At the end of the day, no comforter is one-size-fits-all. Here are some of the characteristics of sleepers who would get the best use out of this comforter:
- People wanting a soft, smooth cotton comforter over silky fabrics like satin or microfiber. The brushed cotton has more of a traditional, luxurious hotel bed feel.
- Shoppers willing to invest in a higher-end, quality comforter. While pricey, it’s very well-made with attention to detail.
- Those looking for medium warmth appropriate for spring, fall, and winter in average room temperatures. It can be layered for extra warmth or used without a top sheet in summer.
- People who don’t mind a minor trade-off between breathability and warmth. The cotton shell does offer some airflow, but the fill provides notable insulation.
- People without sensitivities to down alternative fibers. The polyester fill avoids common down allergies but could irritate those sensitive to synthetic materials.
- Shoppers wanting a classic, versatile style. The solid white, gray, and ivory color options match a wide range of bedroom aesthetics.
- Households needing a machine-washable comforter for easy cleaning.
How The Dream Brushed Cotton Comforter Compares To Alternatives?
- Brooklinen Down Comforter
Fill: Responsibly-sourced duck down
Exterior: Smooth, lightweight cotton sateen
Warmth: Designed for lightweight, breathable warmth
Price: $169+ for Full/Queen
The Brooklinen down comforter provides exceptional comfort at a lower price point than the Pottery Barn option. The ethically-sourced duck down offers better breathability than the Dream Brushed Cotton’s polyester fill. However, the cotton shell of the Pottery Barn comforter feels plusher and higher-end.
- Buffy Cloud Comforter
Fill: Recycled PET bottle fibers
Exterior: Soft eucalyptus fabric
Warmth: Provides less insulation than the Pottery Barn comforter
Price: $119+ for Full/Queen
The Buffy Cloud comforter is a budget-friendly down alternative option. The eucalyptus cover offers silky softness. However, the fill is thinner and lighter in weight, providing less warmth. The lower price makes it more accessible for shoppers on a budget.
- Coyuchi Organic Cotton Comforter
Fill: Organic cotton batting
Exterior: GOTS certified organic cotton
Warmth: Lightweight, breathable warmth
Price: $298+ for Full/Queen
This luxury organic cotton comforter from Coyuchi is crafted from exceptional quality materials. It’s very breathable and better for warmer climates. However, the fill doesn’t provide the same plushness as the Pottery Barn down-alternative comforter.
- Parachute Down Duvet Insert
Fill: Premium white down
Exterior: 100% sateen cotton
Warmth: Light, airy warmth
Price: $349+ for Full/Queen
Parachute’s down insert has a lightweight, silky cover and superior down fill. It’s warmer than the Pottery Barn option but allows more airflow. The 750 fill power premium down does come at a higher cost.
- Boll & Branch Down Comforter
Fill: European down
Exterior: Organic cotton shell
Warmth: Provides toasty, even warmth
Price: $298+ for Full/Queen
This ethically-sourced down comforter from Boll & Branch offers exceptional warmth in a natural, organic cotton shell. It’s comparably priced to the Pottery Barn comforter but uses higher quality down responsible for greater insulation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The most comfortable comforter type comes down to personal preference. Many people enjoy the indulgent softness of down-alternative like the Dream Brushed Cotton comforter. Responsibly-sourced down also provides exceptional loft and breathability. For those who tend to sleep hot, organic cotton comforters allow more airflow.
Look for these characteristics to identify a high-quality comforter:
1. Premium fabrics like long-staple cotton, linen, or eucalyptus
2. Responsibly sourced filling materials like traceable down or recycled polyester
3. Even baffle-box or sewn-through construction to prevent shifting
4. Attention to detail like reinforced seams, corner loops for duvet ties
5. A longer lifespan as indicated by the warranty coverage
Natural cotton comforters have some advantages including:
1. Breathability to maintain a comfortable temperature
2. Absorbency to wick away moisture
3. Hypoallergenic properties for allergy sufferers
The tradeoff is cotton provides less warmth on its own compared to materials like down. Overall, cotton comforters are a great choice for sleepers wanting the benefits of a natural fabric.
The highest quality down alternative comforters use polyester microfiber fill. Microfibers mimic properties of real down by trapping air. PrimaLoft and QualLoft are two popular brands of polyester microfiber filling known for their longevity and maintaining loft.
For a natural down alternative, fabrics like organic cotton, bamboo, and Tencel provide warmth and softness while allowing more airflow than polyester.
My Verdict: A Worthwhile Splurge for Luxury and Comfort
After thoroughly testing the Pottery Barn Dream Brushed Cotton comforter, my overall opinion is that it delivers exceptional quality and indulgent comfort to justify the premium investment.
The irresistibly smooth cotton shell, fluffy fill, and meticulous construction combine to create a comforter that truly feels like sleeping in a 5-star hotel bed each night.
While the price tag is steep, I do think this comforter could last for many years with proper care. Given how much time we all spend sleeping, investing in luxurious bedding that makes you excited to crawl under the covers every night is worthwhile in my book.
If you don’t mind splurging on next-level comfort and appreciate the fine details of a very well-made product, the Dream Brushed Cotton comforter will exceed expectations. Just be mindful that it does run warm, so you may need to swap it out for something lighter in warmer months.
I hope this detailed review helps inform your decision when shopping for a plush, cozy comforter for your master or guest bedroom. Let me know in the comments if you have any other questions!