Short answer
Usually not. A doona is a soft, filled bag (a duvet) that normally goes inside a removable cover. A traditional quilt is made of three layers of top fabric, batting and backing, stitched together. The words do overlap in everyday use, though: in some places shops call a filled cover a “quilt”, so check the product description rather than the label alone.
What is a doona?
“Doona” is the word commonly used in Australia and New Zealand for what is called a duvet elsewhere. It is a flat bag filled with feathers, down, wool or a synthetic fibre. Most people put it in a cover that can be taken off and washed, much as a pillow goes in a pillowcase. Some people use it with sheets, and others use it as a simple one-piece cover.
What is a quilt?
In the sewing sense, a quilt has a top, a batting layer and a backing, held together by stitching or tying. The top can be pieced from patches, appliquéd or one whole piece. It usually does not need a separate cover, although some people use one. Our coverlet vs quilt guide goes into more detail.
Doona vs quilt compared
| Feature | Doona (duvet) | Quilt |
|---|---|---|
| Structure | Filled bag, often with internal baffles or stitching | Three stitched layers |
| Cover | Normally used in a removable cover | Usually used on its own |
| Typical fillings | Feather, down, wool, synthetic | Cotton, wool, polyester or other batting |
| Look | Depends on the cover | Visible stitching and patterns |
| Washing | Wash the cover often; the insert less often | Wash the whole piece, per the label |
Why do Australians say doona?
The word is widely used in Australia, and it is often said to have started as a brand name that became the general term. The exact history is worth treating cautiously. In practice, “doona” means a duvet in that region, while “duvet” is more common in the UK and elsewhere.
Doona vs blanket
A blanket is generally a single layer of fabric with finished edges, such as wool, fleece or cotton. A doona is a filled bag with loft, so it traps more air and is usually thicker. People often use a blanket as an extra layer with a doona.
Comforter vs quilt
A comforter is a thick, filled bed cover, often with a decorative outer fabric, usually sold as a finished top layer rather than an insert. A quilt is defined by its three stitched layers. In practice the two sound similar and shops use the terms inconsistently. For help comparing fillings, see is a wool or feather quilt better.
Do hotels use a duvet or a comforter?
It varies. Many hotels use a duvet with a removable cover because the cover is simple to launder, but practices differ by hotel and country.
Which should you choose?
- Want easy care and a quick-to-make bed: a doona with a washable cover.
- Want a handmade, patterned look: a quilt.
- Want to change the look often: a doona and several covers.
- Making your own: a quilt gives more room for design, while a duvet cover is an easy sewing project for a doona.