Our top choice for the best down pillow is the puredown Natural White Goose Cool-Down Pillow, which has an “Ice Silk” fabric shell to keep sleepers cool. Our runner-up pick is the Royal Hotel’s Down Pillow, which is firm and supportive for the neck.
Thought of as a luxury item, both historically and now, down pillows aren’t the cheapest option out there. So, is a down pillow right for you? And, if it is, what type of down should you choose? What’s the difference between real down and down alternative?
We will explore all of these questions, plus the 7 best down pillows available on the market today. Hopefully, this information will make your pillow shopping experience easier.
# 1 Best for Budget Shoppers- The JA COMFORTS Goose Down Pillow 2-Pack
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What We Like:
- Works for all sleep positions
- Breathable design
- Washer and dryer safe
What We Don’t Like:
- Won’t be firm enough for all
- Might get flat faster than other pillows
The JA COMFORTS Goose Down Pillow provides a soft and comfortable sleep surface for your head. Made with a 100 percent cotton cover, it has a breathable design and should feel comfortable in every sleeping position. This pillow can be washed in the washing machine and dried in the dryer.
The JA COMFORTS Goose Down Pillow is a standard Queen size (20 by 28 inches) with 37 oz. filling weight. Note that when it first comes out of the packaging, it may need a few hours to expand to its true size.
Depending on how high or firm you like your pillow to be, you may want to use both pillows in the two-pack. The JA COMFORTS Goose Down Pillow comes with a 90-day trial period and a three-year warranty.
#2 Best for Hot Sleepers- The puredown Natural White Goose Cool-Down Pillow
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What We Like:
- Cooling cover
- Won’t shed feathers
- Affordable price
- Stylish pattern
What We Don’t Like:
- Might be too soft for some
If you’re naturally a hot sleeper and want a down pillow, you may want to consider the puredown Natural White Goose Cool-Down Pillow. It has a shell made from “Ice Silk Fabric,” a cooling material and uses lightweight, odorless, and recyclable feathers and down.
Each pillow has 31 oz. of goose feather down and measures 20 by 26 inches. They use single needle stitch, which is meant to help the pillows avoid feather shedding. Since they come vacuum packed, you’ll need to give them a day or two to expand to their full size and shape.
Note that although these are marketed as medium-firm pillows, some users report that they feel soft and may require folding if you want fluffier support. For warranty information, contact the seller directly.
#3 Best for Neck Support- The Egyptian Bedding Goose Down Pillow
Last update on 2024-04-14 at 05:20 - More InfoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product." / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What We Like:
- Hypoallergenic and mold resistant
- Works for all sleep positions
- Longer than other pillows
- Feathers won’t poke you
What We Don’t Like:
- Might be too thick for some
- Might feel too firm
The Egyptian Bedding Goose Down Pillow is good for people who want a down feel but also need some firm neck support. This pillow has 50 oz. of fill and uses a 100 percent Egyptian cotton cover. It doesn’t have the light, fluffy feel that other down pillows do, and instead will conform to your head to give firm support.
Users report that this pillow won’t poke you like some feather pillows do and that it won’t require fluffing as often as other down pillows. When you first take the Egyptian Bedding Goose Down Pillow out of its packaging it may feel too firm, but it yields more than you’d expect once you lie on it. To get warranty information, contact the seller directly.
#4 Best Firm Option- The Royal Hotel’s Down Pillow
Last update on 2024-04-14 at 05:20 - More InfoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product." / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What We Like:
- Soft, comfortable cover
- Very supportive for the neck
- Hypoallergenic
What We Don’t Like:
- May feel too hard for some
- Expensive
If you want a down pillow but also don’t want it to feel too soft, you’d probably do well with a firm option, like the Royal Hotel’s Down Pillow. They’re very full of down, to the point where fluffing isn’t possible or necessary. The Queen size comes with 42 oz. of down and the King 56 oz.
These are made with 100 percent cotton and stay full throughout the night. Side sleepers might find them especially supportive, as they’re firm enough to support the neck in this position, although they will work for every sleeping position.
#5 Best Travel Option- The All About Down Travel Pillow
Last update on 2024-04-14 at 05:20 - More InfoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product." / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What We Like:
- Fill adjustment available
- Cleaning service available
- Hypoallergenic
- Ethically-raised down
What We Don’t Like:
- Fairly expensive
- Small for its price
- Doesn’t include a pillowcase and is of a non-standard size
If you’re looking for a smaller down pillow you can bring on the road with you, the All About Down Travel Pillow could be a good solution. It has an Egyptian Cotton cover and comes with a medium weight (but you can request increased firmness or softness). The down comes from certified ethical and humane sources.
This pillow will come compressed for shipping but expands to its full size within a day or two of unpacking. Keep in mind that this is significantly smaller than an ordinary bed pillow, at 12 by 16 inches. It will work great for use on a train, plane, or bus. To get warranty information, contact the seller directly.
#6 Best Moldable Option- The Luxury Gusseted Down Pillow
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What We Like:
- Moldable for comfort
- Breathable cover
- Hypoallergenic
- Machine washable
What We Don’t Like:
- May be too soft for some
- Fairly expensive
The Luxury Gusseted Down Pillow is a soft, moldable pillow for people who don’t want firm neck and head support. Made with a 100 percent cotton cover, these have 23 oz. of down in each and reinforced seams for extra durability. Suitable for every sleep position (as long as you like a softer pillow), these are resistant to dust mites and other allergens.
The Luxury Gusseted Down Pillow is easy to care for – just throw it in the washer, set it to a gentle cold water cycle, and use a low setting when you dry it. The pillow is also easy to fluff back up after you wash and dry it.
#7 Best Down Alternative- The Sfoothome Down Alternative Soft Bed Pillows (2 pack)
Last update on 2024-04-14 at 05:20 - More InfoProduct prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product." / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What We Like:
- Affordable price
- Breathable material
- Machine washable
What We Don’t Like:
- May not be full enough for some
- Less comfortable than down for some
If you have trouble with real down pillows because they make you sneeze, you might want to consider a down alternative option, like the Sfoothome Down Pillows. Made with a 100 percent cotton cover and 100 percent polyester fiber filling, they offer a plush feel that is supportive enough for any sleep position.
These pillows will hold their shape and are the standard 20 by 26 inches in size, meaning they’ll likely fit your existing pillowcases. When you need to clean them, just throw them in the washer. They also come with the benefit of a cheaper price than real down. If you want warranty information for this product, contact the seller directly.
What Is A Down Pillow?
Down pillows are made using the chest, wing, and back feathers of ducks and geese for filling. Chicken feather pillows also exist but these are more old-fashioned and not as common. They come in a variety of firmness levels and sizes.
Types of Down
- Goose: Goose down is considered the nicest and also the most expensive of all types of down. Since geese are larger birds, they have larger feathers and, as a result, better quality down.
- Duck: Duck down is also a good option for a down pillow but since the feathers are smaller than goose down, the pillow won’t be as durable and won’t last as long.
- Down alternative: For people who want a similar feel to duck or geese down but at a much more affordable price, down alternative could be the best option. Some people have down allergies and find real down irritating, which also makes down alternative more suitable.
Benefits Of A Down Pillow
Why would you choose a down pillow over another type? Let’s look at some good reasons below.
- Contouring: Down pillows typically have a soft, yielding feel to them. This means they contour to your head and neck, providing plush support.
- Comfort: This material has an undeniably luxurious feel to it and creates a comfortable sleeping surface for your head. Down pillows are available in a variety of sizes and firmness levels, which means you should be able to find a good option, despite your sleep position or preference.
- Breathability: Down pillows are more breathable than, say, memory foam because feathers promote airflow instead of trapping heat. If you tend to sleep hot, they could help you regulate your sleep temperature.
- Hypoallergenic: Unless you specifically have a feather allergy, you’ll find down to be a very hypoallergenic material. It won’t attract microbes, fungi, or bacteria and also has the benefit of being natural.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Down Pillow
With every product, there’s a list of considerations you should make before you buy. Here are some things to keep in mind when it comes to down pillows:
Sleep Temperature
Down has amazing insulation properties and won’t get too hot or too cold. It’s breathable and doesn’t retain heat as much as foam, yet it will retain enough of your body heat to stay comfortable.
Sleep Position
The position you sleep in will impact the type of pillow you should get. Your pillow is responsible for cradling your neck and head as you sleep. The right pillow will hold your head to create the right posture for spinal health. Below are the common sleeping positions and the types of pillows that match each:
- Side sleeping: Side sleepers should choose a pillow that will fill the area between their ear and shoulder, in order to keep their head properly supported. Medium and firm pillows tend to do the job best, whereas too soft of a pillow will cause your head to rest at an unnatural angle.
- Back sleeping: When you’re sleeping on your back, you’ll want a pillow that keeps you propped up with your airways open. Sleeping with your chin too close to your chest can cause discomfort and pain, not to mention snoring. Back sleepers should select a medium-firm pillow and keep it at the base of their spine to hold their neck up enough for health and comfort.
- Stomach sleeping: Soft pillows are best for people who favor this sleeping position. Stomach sleepers should never use too large or firm of a pillow because this will keep their head too high in relation to their body. You’ll also want to think about how firm your bed is when selecting the right pillow for stomach sleeping. Since you’ll sink further into a soft mattress, you’ll have to also select a soft pillow that allows you to sink in evenly.
Budget
If you’ve been looking at different down pillows, you may have already noticed that they cost more than traditional pillows. You can expect to pay at least about $50 for a quality option made with real down.
There’s a wide range of prices higher than that for this pillow type and some luxurious options cost as much as $200 or more. Goose down will cost the most and higher thread counts will also jack up the price, duck down will cost the second most and down alternative will cost the least.
As mentioned, down pillows tend to cost a fair bit more than ordinary pillows. As with any investment, you will want to protect your purchase with a warranty, if you can. If you decide to buy your down pillow on Amazon, you’ll need to ask the manufacturer about their warranty if it isn’t listed on the product page.
FAQ
Q: How should I wash my down pillow?
A: You can expect to own your down pillow for years if you care for it correctly. To extend the life of your pillow, you can use a pillow protector to prevent your natural oils from soaking through the pillow and compromising the quality of the feathers. Most down pillows can be washed in the washing machine (check to make sure this is recommended before doing it).
Use cold water unless you know your pillow is a fabric that won’t shrink. Use gentle soap and don’t use fabric softener, as this can also compromise the quality of the feathers when it soaks through. You’ll be able to tell the pillow is completely dry when you don’t feel any lumps in it.
Q: How often do I need to wash my down pillow?
A: You should wash your pillow at least twice a year. Over time, it gets filled with dander and dead skin cells, collecting saliva and oil. This can make the pillow heavier and flatter. Using a pillowcase and washing that frequently is helpful, but you’ll also need to wash the actual pillow on a regular basis, too.
Q: How should I dry my down pillow?
A: Most down pillows can be dried in the dryer and this is the part that takes the longest in the pillow cleaning process. You have to make sure the feathers dry completely or they will fall apart, get lumpy, and eventually mildew. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t use high heat on the pillow, as this may damage the down, so you might have to run it for a few hours on a lower temperature to get it completely dry.
Q: Does down cause allergies?
A: If you’ve never tried a down pillow or comforter before, try to select one that has a return policy, so you can make sure you don’t have a waterfowl allergy. Many down pillows are hypoallergenic, which takes care of this problem. If you have severe allergies, though, you may be better off buying a pillow made with synthetic down.
Q: What sizes do down pillows come in?
A: Like other pillows, down options come in all different sizes. Travel-size down pillows will come in sizes like 12 by 18 or 14 by 18 inches. These are good for bringing on planes, buses, or on long car rides as a passenger. Apart from travel sizes, down pillows usually come in either Queen or King sizes.
Final Verdict
While down pillows were once a product only the wealthy could afford, the competitive market has made them more accessible for the average person. A down pillow is an all-natural option for plush comfort and will go well with a down comforter. They usually come with the benefit of being moldable, although there are also firmer options.
If you’re thinking about buying a down pillow, consider your sleep position and how much fill you might need. Since we’ve included only the top-rated options, you’ll be sure to find something for you.
