The best down pillow feels like you're resting on a cloud. Because of all the soft and light down clusters inside, it cradles your head comfortably and conforms to your movements as you sleep.
Alongside our reviews of the best pillows, we tried nine of the best down pillows and evaluated their comfort and support for different types of sleepers, as well as their construction, return policies, and warranty. Down pillows are usually available in various support levels for different sleeping styles: plush or soft for stomach sleepers, mid-plush or medium for back sleepers, and firm for side sleepers.
Our top pick is the Brooklinen Down Pillow, which feels luxurious and soft. It's available in various firmness levels and is moderately priced for a hotel-style pillow. Chelsea Nightengale, the general manager of The Restoration Hotel in Charleston, South Carolina, also recommends looking for a chambered pillow, which "will alleviate the aggravation of any fill bunching in certain areas of the bedding throughout the night." The Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillow utilizes this type of construction with a three-chamber design, also available in three densities depending on your sleep position.
Our top picks for down pillows
Best overall: Brooklinen Down Pillow - See at Brooklinen
Best for side sleepers: Parachute Down Side Sleeper Pillow - See at Parachute
Best ethically sourced: Boll & Branch Chamber Pillow - See at Boll & Branch
Best goose: Continental Bedding Siberian Goose Down Pillow - See at Amazon
Best overall
The mid-plush Brooklinen Down Pillow conforms well to different sleeping positions, making it the ideal pillow for people who shift throughout the night. It feels as good as pillows double its price.
- Comes in multiple support levels
- Soft yet supportive
- Good value
- Down smell is a little strong
- Return fee may apply
A pillow that adapts to movement but stays supportive and comfortable is vital for sleepers who don't favor one position over another. Brooklinen's mid-plush down pillow is versatile enough for most people and very comfortable to sleep on.
It's also a great middle-of-the-road option to try out if you're not quite sure what kind of pillow you like best. Sleeping on this pillow can help you determine if you'd prefer a more firm or plush version, both of which Brooklinen offers.
The mid-plush version has a feather core for support and is surrounded by fluffy down clusters. The down compressed easily but bounced back up quickly and was easy to fluff up. This pillow had the most noticeable down smell of all the pillows I tried, so you'll need to throw it in the dryer for a few cycles to get rid of the scent. Otherwise, I was pleased with the construction and feel of the pillow.
Read our full Brooklinen Down Pillow review.
Best for side sleepers
Though the Parachute Down Side Sleeper Pillow isn't super firm, and its boxy design provides strong support for a side sleeper who also wants the soft, luxurious feel of down.
- Supportive gusset that doesn’t lose shape quickly
- Generous warranty
- May not provide enough support as a memory foam pillow
- Length and width are smaller than the average pillow
In my personal experience, a firmer memory foam pillow is the best pillow for side sleepers. If you're dead set on sleeping on a cushiony down pillow, Parachute's Down Side Sleeper Pillow has enough structural support so you can sleep comfortably on your side while enjoying a plush feel.
It has a tall, 3.5-inch gusset, which is the extra material in the middle and side panels that gives the pillow a more boxy shape. This design prevents your head from sinking in too much and keeps your spine aligned while you sleep. At the same time, it's not so tall that your neck is uncomfortably strained.
Because it's thicker and more supportive than non-gusseted pillows and filled with fluffy white down, my sleep experience felt extra luxurious and comfortable. It doesn't flatten as quickly as non-gusseted pillows and fluffs up easily by hand or in the dryer.
The only way this pillow could be unsatisfying is for side sleepers who are used to more firm support. Thankfully, Parachute has a 60-day return policy, so you'll be able to determine for yourself.
Best ethically sourced
Soft and moldable but still supportive, the Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillow comes in three firmness levels, including a soft option for stomach sleepers.
- Very soft
- Supportive
- Moldable
- Comes in three firmness levels
- Softest version may sink in too much for some
Boll & Branch prides itself on the sustainable materials used in their down pillow, making it a great choice if you're looking for a down pillow that is ethically made. Boll & Branch partners with farms in the United States to source its cruelty-free down that is also OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and International Down Standard certified, which means it's using the safest and cleanest materials. Even the outside cotton cover is organic. The down is also triple-washed, which exceeds the US standards and makes for cleaner, fluffier fill.
The three-chambered soft pillow has down in all three sections, meaning it's luxuriously cushiony and the filling stays evenly distributed through the night. We found it very flexible, and we were able to mold it and fold it in various ways to make it plumper or flatter, based on how we were lying.
The softest version Boll & Branch's down pillow is incredibly soft and squashes down the instant your head touches it; it has the least density making it an excellent option for stomach sleepers. The two firmer versions have more supportive feathers in the inner chamber, making them more suitable for back and side sleepers.
Best goose
The Continental Bedding Siberian Goose Pillow is made from high-quality goose down and combed cotton and feels like you're sleeping in a luxury hotel. With an 800-fill power, it's ultra-lightweight and soft.
- Made from 100% goose down
- Extensive range of sizes
- Made in the US
- Not firm enough for side sleepers
- Subpar warranty and return policies
This pillow is all down, with no feathers, giving it a super light and fluffy feel. Even better, it's goose down, which is more premium and harder to find than duck down. I could certainly feel the difference — this pillow was noticeably lighter and the most compressible of all the pillows I tested.
Unfortunately, side sleepers will have to skip out on this pillow since there's not much support, and it's pretty soft. However, for anyone who wants to feel like they've just climbed into a hotel bed after a long day out sightseeing, the Continental Bedding provides a dreamy escape.
It'll cost you to invest in this luxe pillow, but you can trust in the expertise and history of the brand. It's been around for almost 100 years, making down bedding products.
What to look for in a down pillow
The best down pillows are worth the investment, as they are fluffy and low-maintenance. Naturally breathable, down and feathers are also very soft and comfortable. The material conforms to body movements well so that you can shift positions at night with little disturbance. That said, there are several factors you should consider when shopping for a down pillow:
Loft and sleep position
Consider your preferred sleeping position when choosing between different lofts and firmness levels. Here are the lofts and firmness levels you should look for based on your sleep position:
| Loft | Firmness | |
| Side sleeper | High | Firm |
| Back sleeper | Medium | Moderate |
| Stomach sleeper | Low, thin | Soft |
Ethical certifications
Down comes from birds that have been raised for food, so it is a sustainable byproduct, but there are concerns about animal welfare. The Responsible Down Standard (RDS) certifies responsibly sourced down.
Down vs. feather vs. down alternative
Down is the fiber on the underside of a bird, while the feathers are quilled and found on the back and wings. In general, down pillows are softer and more expensive. Feathers offer more support. Many pillows contain both, a feather core and down exterior.
While down is natural, down alternative is an affordable alternative made from synthetic material, usually polyester fibers. PrimaLoft is a popular, premium brand of down alternative that mimics the lightweight feel, insulation, and comfort of down.
Goose vs. duck down
In terms of insulation and durability, goose and duck down perform the same, though duck down is generally cheaper. If you want the lightest and fluffiest pillow with the most warmth — and you're willing to pay a little more — go for goose down.
How we tested down pillows
To test the best down pillows, I slept on each pillow for three consecutive nights. I also rotated the pillows through three family members (one back sleeper, one side sleeper, and one with mixed sleeping positions), who slept on each pillow for at least two nights and provided feedback.
I evaluated how supportive each pillow felt; how well it held its shape; its softness and coolness; and the quality of stitching and seams, including whether any down or feathers poked out. I also noted the fit of the pillow inside a standard-sized Casper pillowcase (21 x 29 inches). Lastly, I put each pillow on the air fluff setting in the dryer to see how well the pillows fluffed back up. I will continue rotating through all the best picks to evaluate long-term comfort and durability.
Outside of comfort, feel, and support, I looked at each brand's return and warranty terms. Since it can be challenging to determine whether you'll really like a pillow until you try it, I only considered brands with a minimum return policy of 30 days.
Down pillow FAQs
What is down?
Down is soft and light fiber from the underbelly of a duck or goose. It's located underneath a bird's feather layer and is shaped in fluffy clusters. It's used in bedding and clothing because it's highly insulating yet breathable and lightweight.
How long do down pillows last?
The lifespan of your down pillow depends on how often you wash it. Generally, the best down pillows last at least five years and up to 10 years. Replace your pillow when it remains flat after fluffing, or you fold it in half, and it doesn't unfold by itself.
Can you wash a down pillow?
Generally, it's okay to wash a down pillow on the delicate setting with mild detergent. Follow the care instructions of the manufacturer for the best results. Dry cleaning is an option, but it breaks down the natural oils in down, reducing your pillow's lifespan.
Can down cause allergies?
"People can be allergic to feathers, although it is not very common. Much more common is a dust mite allergy," said Tania Elliott, MD, an allergist. To help prevent dust mites, try a pillowcase made from tightly woven 100% cotton.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@businessinsider.com.
