Difference of a Duvet VS.

Comforter

Filling in a Comforter vs. Duvet

The word "duvet" was originally and specifically associated with down feathers.
(In French, "duvet" literally means "down," as in bird plumage.) In contrast,
comforters were typically filled with other natural fibers, like cotton, or synthetic
fibers, like polyester.
Today, both comforters and duvets are often filled with synthetic fibers, but it is
also easy to find either cover with a natural filling, such as down, wool, or silk. In
most cases, duvets are a little more thickly filled than comforters. The filling of
both is often stitched in such a way that it will not move and clump together in
one portion of the blanket, but will instead remain evenly distributed.
Down-filled duvets, which are often called down comforters, are typically filled
with goose feathers, but it is possible to find duck down and bedding that uses a
mixed variety of bird feathers.

Size
Comforters come in typical bed sizes: single/twin, double/full, queen, king and
California king. Usually they are a little larger, so that they drape over the sides
of a bed. In contrast, duvets and down comforters tend to fit to or near the
dimensions of standard-sized mattresses for a snug cover.

Washing and Care

A duvet without a cover.

Most comforters do not have a natural filling that is difficult to wash, and so most
are made to be put directly into a washing machine. This means the entire
comforter must be washed, rather than simply a cover. This is especially true of
comforters from bed-in-a-bag sets. Large queen- or king-sized comforters are
best washed in a large washing machine, like one found at a laundromat.
Depending on their filling, duvets may or may not be washed in a washing
machine. Those with a natural filling, like the down feathers in a down comforter,
should not be put in a washing machine. This is one good reason why a duvet
cover should be purchased for a duvet. That way the cover itself can be
removed and washed, just like a pillowcase, even if the duvet cannot be. This
has the benefit of making covered duvets easier to wash than comforters and
more versatile than in some ways, as the design can easily be changed with a
new cover.
In all cases, follow the washing instructions found on bedding tags.

Cost
The cost of comforters and duvets varies considerably according to size, filling,
and design. Many comforters will be cheaper than duvets, however, and may be
sold in bed-in-a-bag sets.

Comforter vs. Duvet in Other Countries

In other countries, like Norway, a duvet (usually with a cover) replaces a top
bedsheet altogether; moreover, couples usually have two small duvets — one
each — rather than a duvet large enough to cover both people.
Some countries have other terms for comforters. In Australia, it is common for a
comforter to be called a "doona," a term borrowed from Scandinavian
languages' "dyne," which means "down" and refers to duvets. In British English,
comforters may be known as "continental quilts."