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Bamboo Batting vs Cotton vs 80/20: Pros, Cons & Which to Choose
Updated September 2026 · By the ThreadWorks team
Quick answer: bamboo batting is softer and drapier than cotton or 80/20 and feels cooler against the skin, which is why quilters choose it for bed quilts, wedding quilts and anything that should feel luxurious. It costs more: about $11.50 per yard on a 96" roll versus about $9.67 for 100% cotton and $8.33 for 80/20 in the same Winline 96" x 30-yard format. Choose bamboo for drape and feel, 100% cotton for a classic, flatter antique look, and 80/20 for everyday quilts at the best price. (Deciding only between 80/20 and cotton? Read 80/20 vs 100% Cotton Batting.)
Shop bamboo batting rolls · Bamboo batting by the package · Batting rolls · Pre-packaged batting
Bamboo vs Cotton vs 80/20 Batting at a Glance
| Bamboo | 100% Cotton | 80/20 Cotton-Poly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feel & drape | Silky, very drapey | Soft, a little firmer | Soft, slightly springier |
| Look after washing | Soft, gentle crinkle | Classic antique crinkle | Light crinkle, a little more loft |
| Breathability | Excellent | Very good | Good |
| Best for | Bed quilts, wedding and heirloom quilts, drapey modern quilts | Traditional and heirloom quilts, hand quilting | Everyday quilts, customer quilts, charity quilts |
| Price per yard (Winline 96" x 30 yd roll) | ≈ $11.50 | ≈ $9.67 | ≈ $8.33 |
| Batting for a 50" x 65" throw | ≈ $18.52 | ≈ $15.57 | ≈ $13.43 |
Cost per throw assumes a 50" x 65" throw (our quilt size chart size) with 4" extra on every side: a 58" x 73" piece, laid 73" across a 96" roll, so you use 58" of length. Roll prices at the time of writing: Winline bamboo $344.95, Winline 100% cotton $289.99, Winline 80/20 $249.99. Our own Soft & Elegant 80/20 roll ($234.99) works out to about $12.62 per throw.
Which Batting Is Best for Quilts?
For most quilts, 80/20 cotton-poly is the best all-round batting: soft, easy to quilt, forgiving on a longarm and the lowest cost per quilt. Choose 100% cotton for a flat, traditional look, bamboo for drape, polyester for zero shrinkage and wide quilting spacing, and wool for warmth and loft that shows off quilting.
| Batting | Best for | Shrinkage* | Quilting distance* | Try it |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80/20 cotton-poly | Everyday and customer quilts | Minimal to under 5% | Up to 8"–10" | Soft & Elegant roll · Dream 80/20 packs |
| 100% cotton | Traditional, heirloom, hand quilting | About 1–5% | Up to 8" | Simply Cotton roll · Dream Cotton Select packs |
| Bamboo | Drapey bed and wedding quilts | About 2–5% | Up to 8" | Winline bamboo roll · Dream Bamboo packs |
| Polyester | Flat modern look, quilts that get washed a lot, wide quilting | None (per Quilters Dream) | Up to 12" | Dream Poly Select packs |
| Wool | Warmth without weight, loft that shows quilting | None when washed cold (per Quilters Dream) | Up to 8" | Dream Wool packs |
*From each manufacturer's product information for the battings linked. Always follow the label on the batting you use.
Cotton vs polyester batting
Cotton batting is breathable and gives the classic crinkle after washing, because it shrinks a little. Polyester batting doesn't shrink, is lighter and lets you quilt further apart (up to 12" on Dream Poly), so it keeps a flat, modern look and holds up to frequent washing. 80/20 sits between them: mostly cotton, with a little polyester for loft and easier handling. If you can't decide, 80/20 is the safe choice.
What Is Bamboo Batting?
Bamboo batting is made from bamboo-derived fiber that is carded and needle-punched into a batt, the same way cotton batting is made. You will see two kinds:
- 100% bamboo, such as the Winline 100% Bamboo roll: needle-punched with a thin stabilizing scrim, rated to be quilted up to 8" apart, with shrinkage of about 2–5% according to the manufacturer.
- Bamboo blends, such as Quilters Dream Bamboo: a mid-loft blend of bamboo, Tussah silk, Tencel® and USA cotton with no scrim or resins, also quilted up to 8" apart, with minimal shrinkage and no prewashing needed.
Pros of Bamboo Batting
- Drape. This is the main reason to buy it. A bamboo quilt falls over the edge of a bed instead of standing away from it.
- Softness. It has a silky hand that quilters notice the first time they touch a finished quilt.
- Breathability. Bamboo is breathable and moisture-wicking, so bamboo quilts are comfortable year-round. Winline also describes its bamboo batting as naturally antibacterial.
- Low shrinkage. Winline rates its bamboo at about 2–5%, so you get a gentle crinkle rather than a heavily puckered look.
- Quilting distance. Up to 8" apart on the standard weight, so it suits open edge-to-edge designs as well as custom work.
Cons of Bamboo Batting
- Price. Expect to pay roughly 20–40% more per quilt than cotton or 80/20.
- Less body. The same drape that makes a great bed quilt makes a wall hanging or table runner less crisp. For those, cotton or 80/20 holds shape better.
- Loft is limited at standard weight. If you want quilting to stand out in relief, choose the 6 oz high-loft bamboo, which the manufacturer rates for quilting up to about 4" apart.
Bamboo vs Cotton Batting
This is the comparison most quilters are really making. Choose bamboo when the quilt will be used on a bed or wrapped around someone and you want it to feel as good as it looks. Choose 100% cotton when you want the traditional, flatter antique look, you are hand quilting, or you are matching an heirloom. Both are natural-feeling fibers; bamboo is the softer and drapier of the two, cotton is the more classic and slightly cheaper.
Bamboo vs 80/20 Batting
80/20 is the everyday workhorse: forgiving on a longarm, a little more loft than cotton, and the lowest cost per quilt. Bamboo is the upgrade you choose for the special quilts. Many longarm quilters stock both: 80/20 for customer and charity quilts and a bamboo roll for premium orders. For everything about 80/20, see 80/20 vs 100% Cotton Batting.
Which Bamboo Batting Should You Buy?
| Batting | Format | Loft / quilting distance | Best for | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winline 100% Bamboo | 96" x 30 yd roll | Standard / up to 8" | Longarm quilters; queen quilts and smaller | $344.95 |
| Winline 100% Bamboo Extra Wide | 120" x 30 yd roll | Standard / up to 8" | King quilts without piecing batting | $389.99 |
| Winline 6 oz Bamboo High Loft | 96" x 25 yd roll | High loft / up to ~4" | Show quilts, dense custom quilting | $329.99 |
| Quilters Dream Bamboo | Craft, crib and throw packages | Mid loft / up to 8" | Trying bamboo on one quilt; domestic machines | From $11.99 |
Not sure which width you need? Our batting size guide covers every quilt size, and our longarm batting guide explains roll widths and loading.
Bamboo Batting FAQ
Does bamboo batting shrink?
A little. Winline rates its 100% bamboo at about 2–5% shrinkage, and Quilters Dream describes Dream Bamboo's shrinkage as minimal with no prewashing needed. Expect a soft, gentle crinkle after the first wash. More detail in Does Quilt Batting Shrink?
Is bamboo batting warmer than cotton?
Not really; it is chosen for comfort rather than warmth. Bamboo breathes and wicks moisture, so it feels cool in summer and comfortable in winter. For maximum warmth, look at wool batting.
How far apart can you quilt bamboo batting?
Up to 8" apart for standard-weight Winline bamboo and Quilters Dream Bamboo, and up to about 4" for the 6 oz high-loft bamboo. Always follow the label for the batting you are using.
Is bamboo batting good for longarm quilting?
Yes. The scrim in the Winline rolls helps it resist stretching and bunching on the frame, and 96" and 120" widths let you load large quilts without seaming batting.
Is bamboo batting worth the extra cost?
For quilts that will be used and handled, like bed quilts, gifts and wedding quilts, most quilters say yes. For wall hangings, table runners and practice pieces, save the money and use 80/20 or cotton.
What is the best batting for quilts?
For most quilts, 80/20 cotton-poly: soft, easy to work with and the lowest cost per quilt. Choose 100% cotton for a traditional flat look, bamboo for drape, polyester for zero shrinkage and wide quilting spacing, and wool for warmth and loft.
Is cotton or polyester batting better?
Cotton is more breathable and gives an antique crinkle after washing; polyester doesn't shrink, is lighter and can be quilted further apart. For bed quilts most quilters prefer cotton or 80/20; polyester suits quilts that need to stay flat or get washed often.