Best Down Pillows – 2024
- Brooklinen Down Pillow – Editor’s Pick
- Helix Down & Feather Pillow – Best Down Pillow for Side Sleepers
- Plushbeds Goose Down Pillow – Best Goose Down Pillow
- Pacific Coast Feathers Classic Down Pillow – Best Down Feather Pillow
- Down Dreams Pillows– Best Down Pillows on Amazon
- Parachute Down Pillow – Best Firm Down Pillow
- Tuft & Needle Luxury Down Pillow – Best Down Pillow for Back Sleepers
Best Down Pillow: Video Roundup
Editor’s Pick- Brooklinen Down Pillow
Brooklinen Down Pillow
![Best Down Pillows Brooklinen Down Pillow](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Brooklinen-Mid-Plush-Down-Alternative-Pillow-front.jpg)
Brooklinen’s Down pillow is a nice option for those who love the feel of down but want more than the typical amount of loft and support. Based on my experience, I think it’s best for side sleepers or those who want a good amount of thickness – perhaps individuals with larger body frames or broader shoulders.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full ReviewWho is it for?
![Brooklinen Down Pillow Side Sleeping A woman sleeps on her side on the Brooklinen Down Pillow](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Brooklinen-mid-plush-down-pillow-review-alignment-300x203.jpg)
What Makes Brooklinen Down Pillow Stand Out?
- Down pillows can be rather expensive, but this one is fairly affordable.
- The down used is ethically sourced.
- Three firmness options make it a match for just about anyone.
Best for Side Sleepers – Helix Down & Feather Pillow
Helix Down & Feather Pillow
![Helix Down & Feather Pillow](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/helix-down-side-sleeping.jpg)
Helix’s down and feather pillow combines the plush comfort of white down with supportive feathers at the center of the pillow. Its reinforced stitching around the perimeter of the pillow helps it retain its shape. It’s a great down pillow for those that love supportive pillows!
Read Full ReviewWho is it for?
![Helix Down & Feather Pillow Side Sleeping A man sleeps on his side on the Helix Down & Feather Pillow](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/helix-down-side-sleeping-300x241.jpg)
What Makes the Helix Down & Feather Pillow Stand Out?
- It can work for all sleeping positions, but side sleepers can rest easy knowing it won’t lose its shape.
- It has a supportive core of feathers and down.
- Helix offers a 100-night trial period to test it out.
Best Goose Down- Plushbeds Sateen White Goose Down Pillow
Plushbeds Goose Down Pillow
![Plushbeds Goose Down Pillow](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/plushbeds-down-cover.jpg)
If you love down pillows, then check out the Plushbeds Goose Down pillow. Goose down is some of the softest out there, but with two firmnesses available, there’s something for everyone.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.80 / 5
Read Full ReviewWho is it for?
![Plushbeds Goose Down Pillow back sleeping A man sleeps on his back using the Plushbeds Goose Down Pillow.](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/plushbeds-back-sleeping-300x182.jpg)
What Makes the Plushbeds Goose Down Pillow Stand Out?
- If you’re looking for a luxurious down pillow, this is the one for you!
- The goose down feels extraordinarily soft and plush.
- It has two firmnesses which should work well for back and side sleeping.
Best Down Feathers- Pacific Coast Classic Down Pillow
Pacific Coast Classic Down Pillow
![Pacific Coast Classic Down Pillow](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/pacific-coast-down-squish.jpg)
Pacific Coast Feathers makes high-quality down pillows with some of the highest-quality down called Hyperclean down. This pillow comes in multiple firmness options that make it a match for every down pillow lover out there.
Who is it for?
![Pacific Coast Feathers down pillow A man presses his hands into the Pacific Coast Feathers down pillow.](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/pacific-coast-down-squish-300x177.jpg)
What Makes the Pacific Coast Classic Down Pillow Stand Out?
- The down used is of the highest quality, and has been certified by the American Down & Feather council as such.
- It has multiple firmness options to accommodate all sleeping positions.
- For easy care, the pillow can be fully machine-washed!
Best on Amazon- Down Dreams
Down Dreams
![Down Dreams](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/down-dreams-back-sleeping.jpg)
Down Dreams makes hotel quality down pillows that come to you in a double pack, so couples can enjoy these pillows, too! These pillows feel about medium firm and can be found on Amazon, making them super convenient for just about anyone.
Who is it for?
![Down Dreams pillow back sleeping A man sleeps on his back using the Down Dreams pillow.](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/down-dreams-back-sleeping-300x190.jpg)
- They can be found on Amazon, making ordering and shipping a breeze.
- They come in a double pack.
- They’re highly rated on Amazon and are made of high-quality materials.
Best Firm- Parachute Down Pillow
Parachute Down Pillow
![Parachute Down Pillow](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/parachute-down.jpg)
Parachute Home makes its down pillow in many firmness options, which makes it a fit for every sleeping position. Parachute uses 100% European down to give this pillow a plush, down feel.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.30 / 5
Who is it for?
![Parachute Homes down pillow side sleeping A man sleeps on his side using the Parachute Homes down pillow](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/parachute-down-300x189.jpg)
What Makes the Parachute Down Pillow Stand Out?
- Firm pillow fans who love down pillows will enjoy this option.
- This pillow should last you a while, which Parachute recognizes and backs up with a 3-year warranty.
- Dry cleaning is recommended, but if you’re in a pinch you can machine-wash this pillow, too.
Best for Back Sleepers- Tuft & Needle Luxury Down Pillow
Tuft & Needle Down Pillow
![Tuft & Needle Down Pillow](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/tuft-needle-down-featured.jpg)
The Tuft & Needle Down pillow is full of soft, plush down clusters. It’s an 8″ tall pillow that feels very soft but supportive. It works fantastically well for back sleepers!
Mattress Clarity Score
3.90 / 5
Who is it for?
![The Tuft & Needle Down Pillow The Tuft & Needle Down Pillow](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/tuft-and-needle-down-pillow-300x225.jpg)
What Makes the Tuft & Needle Luxury Down Pillow Stand Out?
- The combination of down and feathers creates a perfect balance of comfort and support for back sleeping.
- When this pillow gets dirty, you can machine-wash the whole thing.
- You have 100 nights to test this pillow out.
What are Down Pillows Made of?
Simply put, down is a type of feather that you find on birds, though typically sourced from ducks or geese. Down is sometimes found closer to the bird’s skin, or found on the belly of the bird. Down is much softer and fluffier than regular feathers and won’t have pointy quills. Because of this, down makes for a fluffy, comfortable fill option in pillows.![Down Comforter Fill](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/down-fill.jpg)
Types of Down
Down pillows are typically made from duck or goose down and can vary on exactly what type of duck or goose. For example, Canada white goose down is often considered excellent quality, as is Eider duck down. Some down pillows, like Brooklinen’s pillow, are made through ethically sourced programs. Some brands use down certified by the Responsible Down Standard (RDS), which means the brand’s down filling comes from birds who, “have been treated with care.” For those who love the feel and quality of down but are concerned about the ethics of the manufacturing process, check for labeling like this before making a purchase. RELATED: Down vs. Feather Pillows – What’s the Difference?Clusters vs. Feathers
Fill Power
Without getting too heavy into the science of it, fill power is the amount of space — measured in cubic inches — one ounce of down will take up to reach its maximum loft. This is basically a measurement of the loftiness of a pillow, and often equates to the durability and quality of a pillow. Higher fill power means larger down clusters and the corresponding amount of trapped air means the longer it’ll retain its loft and firmness. However, fill power is not necessarily an indicator of overall firmness, so keep that in mind as well. A high fill power — around 800 — does not guarantee that the down pillow will be super firm.How to Wash Down Pillows
Care instructions for down pillows will vary depending on what the manufacturer recommends. But for the most part, down can be machine-washed. But because down is a delicate material, you’ll want to avoid using hot water cycles.![clean pillow washer 2](https://www.mattressclarity.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/clean-pillow-washer-2.jpg)
Final Thoughts
These are seven of the absolute best down pillows out on the market today, but they’re certainly not the only ones to buy. As always, I suggest navigating the pillow purchasing process by starting with one’s primary sleep position and narrowing down pillow options based on the appropriate loft and support for that position from there. Don’t hesitate to comment on my YouTube video if a personal recommendation is needed!FAQs
How do I choose a down pillow?
In many ways, choosing a down pillow is just like choosing any other pillow. Start with one’s primary sleep position to gauge how much loft and general firmness is needed. Traditionally, stomach sleepers need soft and flatter pillows while side sleepers need the most height (or loft) and firmness.
What is the best down pillow for side sleepers?
The best pillow for side sleepers is going to offer the most firmness and the most height. One combination that I really like — and you can see this in the Brooklinen Mid-Plush — is a pillow with a core of feathers that provides support, but surrounded by down so that there's still plenty of softness and comfort.
What is better — goose or duck down pillows?
Goose down is larger in size than duck down, so on average, goose down pillows have a higher fill power than duck down. This means that goose down pillows won't need as much down to be loftier, lighter in weight, and more luxurious. That being said, they typically cost more. If you opt for duck down, but still want something with the plushness of goose down, look for a higher fill power.
How long do down pillows last?
This depends on the materials used, but typically down pillows can last you around 5 years or so with good care. I’d recommend cleaning or washing the pillow every six months, per the manufacturer's instructions, to ensure the pillow stays fresh and clean for as long as possible.