Best Down Pillows
Our guide to the best down pillows.
Down pillows are made with the quill-less feathers from the chest and underbelly of duck or geese. This creates an ultra-soft, durable, and cozy surface to lie your head on every night. Down pillows offer the ideal “sleeping on a cloud” sensation. They’re fluffy, plush, and airy. Down is much different than other common pillow fills— like memory foam or latex.
We’ve curated this list based off of our own personal testing, and given each model a superlative so you can better identify the right pillow for you.
Best Down Pillows of 2024
- Editor’s Pick – Parachute Down Pillow
- Best Multiple Firmness Options – Brooklinen Down Pillow
- Best Luxury – Boll & Branch Down Pillow
- Best Budget – Puredown Pillow
- Best Hybrid – Helix Down & Feather Pillow
- Best Down-Alternative – Buffy Cloud Pillow
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Watch Our Review
Parachute Down Pillow
Editor’s Pick
Parachute Down Pillow
Filled with 750 fill power European white down, the Parachute Down Pillow is one of the most luxurious down pillows we’ve reviewed. Choose between three firmness levels: soft, medium, and firm.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full ReviewReason to Buy: Made with European white down and wrapped in a sateen cotton case, the Parachute Down pillow feels airy and luxurious to lie down on. It even has double stitching around the perimeter so no feathers come poking out— which is a down pillow’s total achilles heel. It’s available in two sizes, standard and king, and three firmness options: soft, medium, and firm. Which means you can perfectly cater the feel and size of your pillow to your sleeping position and body type!
Brooklinen Down Pillow
Best Multiple Firmness Options
Brooklinen Down Pillow
Fans of comfort should love the softness of the Brooklinen Down Pillow.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.30 / 5
Reason to Buy: This pillow’s construction changes slightly depending on which firmness option you choose. The softest option, Plush, is completely filled with down clusters. The Mid-Plush has a dual-core construction with an inner layer of feathers and outer layer of down clusters, for a mix of support and comfort. It’s the middle of the road option, so of course, it’s the most popular of the three. Lastly, the Firm pillow has the same dual-core construction as the medium option, but with more feathers than clusters so that it’s more supportive and dense. If you have allergy concerns, the fill is rated with antimicrobials and is also double stitched to prevent feathers from coming out. Brooklinen also claims their down is ethically sourced too.
Boll & Branch Down Pillow
Best Luxury
Boll & Branch Down Pillow
The Boll & Branch Down Pillow comes in three firmness levels, so you can match the “feel” with your go-to sleeping position. This pillow comes with ethically sourced down and an organic cotton cover, and is made in the U.S.A.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.60 / 5
Reason to Buy: With this Boll & Branch pillow, choose between soft, medium, and firm levels to accommodate your body type and sleeping position. What makes this model stand out amongst the rest is its’ responsible sourcing, cruelty-free down, its’ three chamber design, and its’ organic cotton cover. I’m really impressed with the quality and consideration of this pillow. Its’ ethical and organic design is made to last and offer luxury comfort. It is pricey, but sleep is something you shouldn’t compromise on— it’s kind of an everyday thing!
Puredown Pillow
Best Budget
Puredown Goose Feather and Down Pillow
Down pillows have a luxuriously comfortable feel to them that many people enjoy, but they also tend to sleep hot. This Puredown pillow has a low loft that’s great for stomach sleepers and some back sleepers, but could pose a real problem for side sleepers who need extra support on the head and neck.
Mattress Nerd Score
4.20 / 5
Read Full ReviewReason to Buy: Made with a down and feather blend, the Puredown Pillow is made with a majority of feathers, which gives a medium to firm support— best suited for back and side sleepers. Now, you may be questioning the quality given its amazing price, but no worries, the down used in this pillow is ethically-sourced, and follows the Responsible Down Standards (RDS) to ensure quality and care. When you lie down on this pillow, it hugs your head and feels light and airy, but still supports your weight, especially around your neck, for proper spinal alignment.
Helix Down & Feather Pillow
Best Hybrid
Helix Down & Feather Pillow
A luxury pillow at a budget price? That’s the Helix Down & Feather Pillow. It comes with a unique three chamber, reinforced double stitched edges, and a breathable cotton cover.
Reason to Buy: The Helix Down & Feather pillow features a three chamber design, with an inner core made from a blend of feathers and down, and two outer cores of white down for plushness you can sink into. This design helps maintain the loft of the pillow without giving you an overly engulfed feeling. This is ideal for preventing neck pain — especially for back and side sleepers. Plus, the edges are reinforced with double stitching for durability. But for those who like to fold and mold their pillow while getting comfy, you can still do that with this option.
Buffy Cloud Pillow
Best Down-Alternative
Buffy Cloud Pillow
The Buffy Cloud is a sustainable and cruelty-free alternative to a traditional down feather pillow. Choose between two sizes and three firmness levels to find the best fit for you!
Reason to Buy: In typical Buffy fashion, their Cloud Pillow is affordably priced, sustainably-made, and extremely comfy. Get a down-feeling pillow, without any extractions from an animal. Instead, the Cloud Pillow is filled with 100% BPA-free, recycled plastic— derived from landfills and oceans. This repurposed plastic is renewed into a soft, marshmallowy fill fiber that mimics that plushness of down. It’s all encased in a cooling, TENCEL lyocell cover.
Down Pillow FAQs
What is the difference between down and feather pillows?
Down is made of the soft, quill-less feathers from the chest and underbelly of birds. On the other hand, feathers have a flatter shape. They’re more solid and still have their quills. Feather tends to be cheaper than down, but some sleepers can find quills to be uncomfortable. But for those looking for more support and firmness than what a down pillow provides, a feather pillow is the way to go. For more information, check out our Down vs. Feather Pillows article.
Are down pillows hypoallergenic?
Down is not hypoallergenic because it can attract dust and outdoor allergens like pollen. So, if you experience severe allergies, down pillows may not be for you. However, down alternative pillows offer the same feel of down pillows, but are hypoallergenic.
Do down pillows need to be fluffed regularly?
Yes! Down has a tendency to fall flat over continued use. However, a few fluffs or a quick run through the dryer will get them back to normal in no time.
