The best down pillows aren’t your average bed accessories. Just look at the competition: Memory foam pillows? Sometimes on the super firm side. Throw pillows? Designed for decor instead of sleep support. Down pillows are different all around because they’re incredibly plush and tend not to deflate over time. The not-so-secret stuff is down filling from goose or duck feathers that gives them their soft, fluffy feel.
Our Top Picks for the Best Down Pillows
If you’ve heard that this type of pillow is too cushioned, we’re here to debunk the myth. They almost always come in different densities (especially based on the brands we’re always trying and testing). As sleep enthusiasts, we took it upon ourselves to rest on a variety of pillows—from firmer options for back sleepers and side sleepers to cushy picks for stomach sleepers.
After months to even years of use, we found that these picks stood the test of time without flattening or feathers poking out. Find our favorite down pillows that’ll suit every sleep style with a quick scroll down below.
For consistency, all of the pillows in this list reflect standard sizes.
The Best Down Pillow, Overall
Upsides
- Ideal for stomach sleepers
- The brand notes that the down pillows are sustainably sourced
- Supportive design
Downsides
Pricey
Specs
- Sizes: Standard, king
- Fill Material: Triple-washed, IDS certified down fill
- Shell Material: N/A
- Density Options: Soft, medium, firm
If you want a down pillow that strikes just the right balance between soft and sturdy, contributor Elaheh Nozari says this is the one for you. Since Nozari says she’s a stomach sleeper who prefers a cushioned pillow with a little firmness, she initially thought a down pillow wouldn’t be a great fit. This Boll & Branch pillow, however, had enough structure to keep her head from sinking straight onto her mattress. Available in three density options, she opted for the medium fill and says it defies the odds. Nozari notes that it is “extremely cozy” while still allowing her “head to feel supported.” She would recommend this pillow to anyone looking for a down pillow that doesn’t feel overly firm.
The Budget Pick
Upsides
- Flexible and foldable
- Easy to clean (machine wash)
- Keeps its shape
Downsides
Leans softer than a traditional foam pillow, even at the highest density level
Specs
- Sizes: Standard, king
- Fill Material: European white goose down
- Shell Material: 100% cotton sateen
- Density Options: Soft/medium, medium/firm, firm/extra firm
With a flexible and foldable design, digital features editor Katherine McLaughlin says this adjustable pick helped her make the transition from being a firm foam pillow faithful. She has it in the firm. It stays in rotation for her sleep setup since it retains its shape like a traditional foam pillow and is even easier to care for. “The pillow can be machine-washed in cold water and tumbled dry,” she says. “As someone who is very regimented about bedding cleaning, I appreciate that I can throw it in the wash without too much thought.”
Best Firm Option
Upsides
- True firm feel
- Cradling design
- Ideal for those with neck and back pain
Downsides
Not machine washable
Specs
- Sizes: Standard, king
- Fill Material: Canadian down
- Shell Material: 100% cotton sateen
- Density Options: Plush, mid-plush, firm
As a self-proclaimed “chaotic sleeper who is constantly rotating positions,” contributor Jacqueline Wladis knew that she’d need support when shopping for a down pillow. This is the perfect pillow for her since its firm feel bolsters her neck and back as needed. “They’re not so firm that you feel like you’re sleeping on a brick, but they cradle your head,” she shares. Since the care instructions note to spot clean only, she suggests shopping for the Slumber Cloud pillowcase since it is machine washable and breathable for hot sleepers like herself.
For Side Sleepers
Upsides
- Helpful for those with back or neck pain
- Airy
- Supportive
Downsides
Includes down clusters instead of just feathers
Specs
- Sizes: Standard, king
- Fill Material: European white down: 85% down clusters, 15% down and feather fibers
- Shell Material: 100% sateen cotton
- Density Options: Medium
For side sleepers like commerce editor Audrey Lee, this pillow can help offer some relief. Designed with a 3.5-inch gusset (an extra layer of fabric on the side of the pillow), this is made to “take the strain off your neck and shoulders,” Lee says, adding that it’s a great investment for both fluff and support.
“I’ve slept on lots of down pillows before—some ultra-soft and some on the firmer side—but I’d describe the feeling of this one as almost cloud-like,” Lee shares. “It’s light and airy for sure—almost like a luxury pillow you would find at a five-star hotel or resort, though I’d say the fill has a tendency to shift around so the cushion can flatten out pretty easily throughout the night.” It’s also just as durable, as she mentions that there haven’t been any feathers poking out over time.
Most Hotel-Like
Upsides
- RDS and Oeko-Tex-certified
- Boasts a polished sateen cover with subtle stripes
- The three-chamber duck down and feather design gives it a super-soft yet supportive feel
Downsides
The standard size runs slightly small
Specs
- Sizes: Standard, king
- Fill Material: 100% white duck feather core, two outer chambers filled with 80% white duck down and 20% white duck feather blend
- Shell Material: 100% japara cotton cover
- Density Options: One standard density
Senior commerce editor Nashia Baker swears that Ostermoor’s newest pillow mimics the comfort and quality of one you’d find in an upscale bed-and-breakfast. Its inner materials set it apart from the crowd: a white duck feather core and a combo of duck down and white duck feathers in the outer layers.
“The three-chamber design keeps the fill in place and magically gives it a goldilocks level of support so it’s not pancake-y and flat,” Baker says, adding that there’s just enough cushion too. Unlike your average and typical pillow that sags over time, this one has hotel-like appeal because of its precise border for a structured, refined look. “There’s also a subtle stripe outer cover for a polished appearance, and a sateen-like cotton fabric that’s smooth and airy to rest without overheating,” she adds.
Best Down Alternative
Upsides
- Maintains its shape
- Comfortable for back sleepers
- Doesn’t trap heat
Downsides
Non-organic cover material
Specs
- Sizes: Standard, king
- Fill Material: Premium down-alternative
- Shell Material: Stretch Lyocell with temperature-control tech
- Density Options: Soft, medium, firm
Wamsutta’s pillows are “luxurious without the luxury price point,” according to shopping writer Julia Harrison. The brand’s Supreme Comfort Pillow brought some much-needed structure to Harrison’s sleep cycle thanks to its cool and firm (but not too firm) construction. A stomach sleeper by nature but back sleeper-in-training, she describes her pick in medium as “just right,” pointing out that the pillows achieve an impressive equilibrium that Goldilocks would approve of. “They hold your neck up without contorting or cramping it, but your head still sinks into the pillow nicely. I’ve not experienced any heat-trapping either, it’s a cool, blissful sleeping experience,” she says. And as far as style points go, the pillow also earns high marks. “My bed looks clean and dignified when I’ve made it—these pillows don’t slump down or get massively mangled over the course of the evening,” Harrison adds.
Best Splurge Design
Upsides
- Lightweight
- Great for layering
- Soft feel is ideal for stomach or back sleepers
Downsides
Medium fill may be softer than expected
Specs
- Sizes: Standard, king
- Fill Material: 100% down feather
- Shell Material: 100% down feather
- Density Options: Soft, medium, firm
Before adding Pom Pom at Home’s high-quality down pillows to her bedscape, contributor Katarina Kovac says she fell victim to a variety of down alternative pillows that grew lumpy and stiff with time. While pricey, she says Pom Pom At Home’s down pillow is worth it thanks to its airy weight and versatility. “I recommend this pillow to anyone who likes a softer, cushier, lighter pillow while they sleep, rather than a denser, more supportive pillow,” she says. Opting for the medium fill, Kovac says that the density leans more on the plush side, something she loves as a back sleeper who doesn’t need as much neck support. “I recommend this pillow to anyone who likes a softer, cushier, lighter pillow while they sleep, rather than a denser, more supportive pillow,” Kovac says. “It’s thin enough to where you could potentially layer it with another, if you’re someone like me with four standard pillows on their bed.”
How We Tested
Instead of relying on lab testing, our editors slept on each of these pillows for at least one month in their homes to get a true feel for them. After weeks upon weeks of restful nights, our writers and contributors were able to share how well these pillows helped them fall asleep. Aside from keeping an eye out for a lengthy warranty and return policy for pillows, we also thought through each of the points below.
Down Fills: Most down fills are made from goose or duck feathers. Most of the picks in our list are also made of 100% European white goose feathers. Typically, these feathers feel fluffy, but note the fill power (we explain below) to really assess its fullness.
Alternative Options: While many down fill pillows are hypoallergenic from thorough cleaning and sanitizing to ensure there aren’t allergy-inducing byproducts inside, the down alternative options are still helpful for those with allergy sensitives.
Sleep Positions: We note this a bit more below, but it’s important to keep firmness levels in mind depending on your sleep position. Back and side sleepers will typically need to reach for a medium-firm density for neck support, while stomach sleepers might go for a softer, plush pillow to sink into at night.
What to Look for
Here are additional factors we weighed to make our final selections, as well as points we’d recommend you keep an eye out for during your shopping experience.
Fill Power: While not all sites list the fill power of their pillows, this is a good indication of how full and fluffy the down will feel in the pillow. The fill power number represents the amount of cubic inches that one ounce of down can fill. For example, a 700 fill power, like the Quince down pillow, means that one ounce of the down will fill 700 cubic inches. The higher the fill power, the fluffier the pillow. Some of the most high-end pillows can reach up in the 800 fill power range.
Density Options: For custom comfort, many pillows offer soft, medium, and firm densities. The option you choose is truly up to you, but if you typically need more neck support (talking to you, side sleepers), a medium-firm pillow is usually the best bet.
Certifications: To help ensure your pillows are free of harmful chemicals and made with sustainably sourced down, keep a look out for the below certifications.
- Oeko-Tex Standard 100: This standard means products have passed rigorous testing for over 1,000 harmful chemicals to ensure they are safe for everyday use, especially for those with sensitive skin.
- International Down Standard: This standard verifies that down and feather products are ethically sourced, starting at the raising farm or parent farm. Specific requirements include animal welfare practices like no live plucking or force feeding.
- Responsible Down Standard: The RDS is a certification by the Textile Exchange, a global non-profit that advocates for the use of sustainable products across the fashion and home industry. It confirms that animals that have not been harmed when sourcing down through practices like live plucking.
FAQs
What type of pillows do five-star hotels use?
The most popular hotel pillow is usually made of down, but the specific makeup depends on where you stay. We get into more details on this below, but a soft pillow at a high-end property typically consists of goose down or feathers since these materials are more plush than other materials like memory foam while maintaining their shape.
Which is better, goose down or feather down?
When searching for the best pillow, the best place to start is by thinking about if you want something soft or firm. A goose feather pillow is usually more dense and supportive because of the stiff quill. On the other hand, a goose down pillow is made from the fluffy undercoating from the bird, so it will have an airier, lighter feel. It depends on the brand, but feather down is usually less expensive and lower quality: It’s a firmer material and might poke through the pillow cover. True down is a little harder to come by in the market, mainly because of delicate sourcing processes and high production costs, so a high-quality down pillow will likely be a little pricier.