Some people fall in love with the girl next door. Others end up with high school sweethearts or a workplace romance. Then there are those who meet the love of their life in a faraway country, altering the trajectory of their lives, and the countries they live in, forevermore. I experienced the latter love story and while I would recommend a foreign lover to anyone who asks, there are difficulties that come with the territory. Someone needs to move, visas need to be sorted and… a comfortable and mutually beneficial sleep temperature needs to be achieved. That last issue? Trickier than it sounds with the standard quilts available in stores.
My husband and I honestly assumed we would never find a quilt that suits both of us. I’m from Australia, which means I can withstand a fair amount of heat. I also run cold and prefer to be toasty, especially at night (and even in summer). My husband, on the other hand, is from the Pacific North-West of the United States. He can handle ice storms but a warm bed, styled for winter? That’s too much to ask. With such drastically different temperature preferences, no quilt – be it heavy duty or light and airy – suited both of us. Well, until now…
Pillow Talk’s Dual Zone Cotton Quilt review: at a glance
- Our rating: 9 out of 10
- Why we rated it a 9/10: My husband and I grew up in very different climates and the Pillow Talk Dual Zone Quilt caters to both of our sleep temperature needs. He gets all the benefits of a light and airy 280gsm cotton fill while I get to snuggle down underneath 400gsm wool fill. This is seriously preferable to the Scandinavian sleep method, where couples sleep under separate, single-sized duvets. The wool fill is plush and warm while the cotton fill is breathable. Quality sleep and comfort is finally achievable for both of us.
Pros
- Made from two natural fibres (wool and cotton).
- Clear labelling to differentiate between the cool side and warm side.
- Unlike competitor products, which can involve clipping two halves of separate quilts together, no assembly is required with this quilt.
- Machine washable.
Cons
- Not customisable. This is the only dual zone quilt which Pillow Talk sells and so you are locked in to these particular materials and GSMs.
- Only available in three sizes, with Queen the smallest option. This makes sense as it is designed for co-sleepers.
What’s so special about Pillow Talk’s Dual Zone Quilt?
It’s so rare to find one product that can suit two people with polar opposite needs. With this quilt, the issue of sleep divorce is well and truly overcome.
- 280gsm cotton fill and 400gsm wool fill
- Cotton cover
- Available in Queen, King and Super King sizes
- Machine washable
- Hypoallergenic
- Plush and cosy on one side, then light and breathable on the other
Dual Zone Quilt materials and size
The quilt is comprised of a cotton cover with two nature fibre fills. On one side is a 280gsm cotton fill. The other side is filled with 400gsm wool. A stripe clearly delineates the two halves, while small labels identify the warm side from the cool side.
The quilt is available in a Queen size (210cm W x 210cm L), King size (240cm W x 210cm L) and Super King size (270cm W x 240cm L).
How to use Pillow Talk’s Dual Zone Quilt
No set up is required for this product. Unlike competitor products, which can require clipping two separate halves together, Pillow Talk’s Dual Zone Quilt is ready to go.
Simply check the ‘cool’ and ‘warm’ labels before placing the duvet in the quilt cover and laying it on your bed.
Results from our test
I was so impressed by this product. The wool side is plush, cosy and luxurious while the cotton side is light and breathable. My husband and I are both active sleepers, meaning we move around quite a bit and often shift our bedding. However, the warm section of the duvet stayed firmly on my side while the cooler half kept on top of my husband.
This seems so much more preferable to me than the Scandinavian sleep method – you get all the benefits of one quilt (a nice drape, comfort and look) with all the personalisation of two separate items. Plus, you can still cuddle in the middle while enjoying the warmth or breathability of your designated half. Despite the difference in the two materials and their GSMs, this duvet doesn’t look lopsided. You can feel the difference but you can’t really see it. It just looks like one cohesive quilt.
Another bonus? It’s machine washable (although you will need to check it fits in your washing machine if you have a particularly compact one).
“Yeah, it’s good” – my husband, who did not wish to be quoted
What do the experts think about Pillow Talk’s Dual Zone Quilt?
Shannon Griffin, Buyer for Bedding at PillowTalk.com says that this quilt tackles a universal problem. “It started as a funny conversation about sleep divorce,” she admits. “The more we talked about it, the more we realised this was a shared struggle. Factors like age, gender, pregnancy, and even pets in the bed all affect temperature preference. We wanted a solution that lets co-sleepers prioritise sleep quality together, without giving up comfort or connection. Cotton is naturally breathable and lightweight, while wool provides extra warmth.”
Of course, there are other simple adjustments you can make to your co-sleeping arrangement to aid harmony between partners. Shannon Griffin recommends experimenting with room temperature and ventilation to find a happy medium. Layering with other bedding can also achieve a balance (I personally use a little electric blanket on my side to add extra warmth while my husband keeps our overhead fan on so he can enjoy a cool breeze).
Overall, is the Pillow Talk Dual Zone Quilt worth it?
This quilt is 100% worth it. Quality sleep really is just one quilt away.
If you share a bed with someone who has a different body temperature to you then this quilt will keep you both happy. After all, there aren’t many ways to achieve a happy medium when it comes to sleep temperature. At least one half of the couple is bound to feel a little too warm or a little too chilly. Instead of looking for a middle-ground, this quilt leans in to the extremes and gives people what they actually want. And all at a very reasonable price point! Costing less than $300, this is a budget-friendly quilt.
As I said earlier, in an ideal world, where my husband and I have a quilt designed specifically for us, the cotton fill would likely be lighter and the wool fill even heavier. But that’s a gap in the market that Pillow Talk might fill. As Shannon Griffin revealed, “This is just the beginning. We’re exploring more Dual Zone Quilts in the future, with different fills and covers. Watch this space.” I, for one, certainly will.
Where to buy the Dual Zone Couples Quilt
- Pillow Talk, $249/Queen (on sale until the 14th June for $174)
- Pillow Talk, $269/King (on sale until the 14th June for $188)
- Pillow Talk, $289/Super King (on sale until the 14th June for $202)
