The 7 Best Down Pillows You Can Buy Online in 2020

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Best Luxury Down Pillow

Number one item on our list of the best down pillows is this model by Continental Bedding. It is cradling, natural, and breathable, which is a great combination for a good night’s sleep. Considering the superior materials this product is made from, it’s no wonder that it offers luxurious comfort. Actually, the luxury is not only inside the pillow but also on top of it. It is very pleasant and soft to the touch.

To be honest, this pillow made me sleep all through the night. It is perfectly cradling and keeps the neck in a neutral position, which, I’m sure, you are going to enjoy.

Best Down Pillow for Stomach Sleepers

This model stands out among other best feather pillows thanks to its soft feel, fluffiness, and hypoallergenic properties. I’ve tried sleeping on it in all positions and found that the stomach one is the best, although back sleeping is quite comfortable too. But for people sleeping on their side, this will likely be way too flat.

I’ll admit: as a side sleeper, I couldn’t enjoy this pillow’s full potential. However, it made me feel super comfortable when I was lying on my back. And I’m sure you will also enjoy this top rated feather pillow.

Best Feather and Down Blend

Another contestant for the right to be called the best feather pillow is this model by Wenersi. Thanks to the combination of feathers and down, it is a bit sturdier and more supportive than the majority of regular pillows. It’s pretty malleable and lightweight, so you can fluff it during the night if it happens to get a little bit flat under the weight of your head.

Here’s the kicker:

This pillow didn’t disappoint me. It is comfortable and supportive, which explains why this model belongs to the list of the top rated feather pillows.

Best Down Pillow for Back Sleepers

This is another model by Continental Bedding that deserves to be among the best down pillows. It is supportive and very pleasant to the touch. Being able to provide enough cradling and still feel soft, this is a perfect option for back sleepers.

Overall, this pillow made a good impression on me. It truly deserves to be among the top rated down pillows thanks to the comfort level it can provide.

Best Down Pillow for Side Sleepers

This pillow has all the right to be called the best down pillow. It is heavenly soft, squishy, and pleasant to the touch. It can make a good side sleeper pillow due to a firmer feel it offers. I mean, it does feel squishy but the firmness level is just right for sleeping on your side.

Here’s the deal:

With this pillow, I didn’t experience any discomfort at all. It is bouncy and supportive, which is a great combination, especially for side sleepers like me.

Best Adjustability

Another item that deserves to be among the best down pillows is this model by Down & Feather Co. It is fluffy and supportive enough to give you the best snooze every night. What makes it stand out from competitors are the satisfaction guarantees provided by the manufacturer throughout the first year of use, which allows you to ask for adjustments in order to make the pillow comfortable personally for you. Moreover, the pillow is covered by a 10-year warranty.

I must tell: I absolutely love this pillow. I picked the Medium model, which is perfect for both back and side sleepers. It has everything to become the best feather pillow for you.

Best Down Pillow for All-Year-Round Use

This model by Luxuredown is a great contestant to be called the best down pillow due to its suitability for all-year-round use. During summer nights, it can help wick away moisture and remove excess heat, thereby keeping you cool. When colder months approach, though, the pillow will adjust to your body temperature and keep you warm and cozy.

As a side and back sleeper, I really liked this pillow. It feels incredibly comfortable and has all the features to become your favorite pillow.

Factors We Look At

When looking through the variety of down pillows on the market, you might find all of them very similar. To a first-time shopper for pillows, it might seem that the only difference between the models is their price. However, that’s far from the truth. There are different characteristics that make or break a quality down pillow. Here’s what we factor in when looking for products to recommend:

• Comfort. Pillows can be filled with goose or duck down/feather. But not only that defines their feel. The ratio between the components of the filling is important too. Also, the fill power should be factored in, as it defines durability and shape retention properties of a pillow.
• Cover. Some covers are hypoallergenic, others are not, which is crucial for allergy-prone people. Sometimes you can remove and wash the cover, and sometimes you can’t, which affects the ease of cleaning. Thread count is another important characteristic of the cover that defines whether the pointy ends of feathers will disturb you or not.
• Fluffiness. The fluffier the pillow is, the better air circulation it provides. Besides, fluffy pillows are cozier and it’s easier to shape them the way you feel most comfortable.  
• Durability. Long warranties and even short satisfaction guarantees are rare for such products as down pillows. That’s why it’s important to evaluate the quality of materials by touch, as well as consider long-term customer reviews.

“Some studies suggest that people are not allergic to down and feather themselves but rather to dust mites that penetrate and multiply inside the down pillows very well.”

Duck vs Goose Down: Is There a Difference?

When reading a product’s description, you will likely come across information about the filling. The most common materials for down pillows are goose down and duck down. They are typically combined to provide you the best qualities of each or can also be mixed with feathers.

Duck down is a more affordable and less luxurious option. It usually has less fill power and smaller clusters of down. Also, it has a stronger potential odor.

Goose down is a more expensive option. It is more durable and resilient compared to duck down. Also, it has better heat retention properties, which is good for cold winter nights.

Typically, goose down pillows are of higher quality, but it’s not a rule of thumb. Some premium duck down pillows can offer you much more than average goose down ones.

“In ancient China, people believed that sleeping on jade pillows would cure them of illnesses, make them smarter, and improve their well-being overall. In case you don’t know, jade is a mineral (mostly of green color) commonly used in ancient Asian art. In other words – a piece of stone.”

Down vs Down Alternatives: Is There a Difference?

Down is considered to be quite an expensive material. And, as with all expensive things, one day a cheaper alternative appeared.

Down alternative is either natural (cotton) or synthetic (rayon, polyester) fiber designed to offer a very similar feel to how true down feels.

Here’s the deal:

Pillows with this material not only feel but also look similar to down – that is, quite neat and luxurious.

The best advantage that down alternative pillows can offer will be highly appreciated by allergy sufferers. This material doesn’t trigger allergic reactions! Besides, it is easier to clean and, again, cheaper. It can also be an option for people who are concerned about animal cruelty and the ethical question of using and wearing down.

There are some downsides to down alternative too. They include lower durability, lower heat retention, and higher weight.

Buyer Beware: Pros and Cons

Here’s the deal:

Even the best down pillow might have certain drawbacks. So, before making a purchase, it’s important to consider both the good and the bad.

Now, the main pros of sleeping on a down pillow are:

• They provide gentle cradling and decent support for your head and neck.
• They are natural.
• They are moldable and can keep their shape.
• They are warm, which means added comfort during winter.

“Stomach and back sleepers will enjoy a pure down pillow more because such pillows compress easily under the weight of the body and don’t elevate the head too much, keeping the neck in a neutral position.”

As for the cons, they include:

• Some feather pillows require constant fluffing up.
• They might be challenging to clean.
• They are rather pricey.
• They are warm, which means you might sleep hot during summer.

How to Choose the Right One

I know, modern-day shopping can be truly overwhelming because of such a wide range of options. And, when trying to choose among the top rated down pillows, you should keep certain factors in mind:

• Thickness. Side sleepers need their pillows to be taller than back or stomach sleepers. The level of thickness will always determine the firmness of the pillow, which can also influence your comfort.
• Cover. It should be breathable to help with the temperature regulation and thick enough to prevent the feathers from sticking out.
• Price. If you have a tight budget, going with a down pillow might not be the best choice since they are usually quite expensive.

Getting the General Picture: Main Facts

If you’ve decided that you certainly need a down pillow, there are some other things you should know:

• The average price for a feather pillow is around $80. Cheaper models don’t usually have enough filling.
• Firmer pillows help with snoring.
• Down pillows don’t really make any noise, while feather ones might create a slight crinkling sound.
• They are great for pressure relief.
• They are susceptible to dust mites.

The Verdict

I always imagined down pillows to be super soft and airy. And I didn’t believe such pillows could be comfortable. I, a sleeper who appreciates the proper support, thought that sleeping on a down pillow feels like sleeping without a pillow at all.

However, these best down pillows made me change my mind. I realize now that they are super comfortable. And the best feather pillow among them is, in my opinion, the Original Feather Pillow by Down & Feather Co. It is responsive, supportive, and mildly cradling, which is a perfect mix for a good night’s sleep. Moreover, it comes with different firmness options, so you’ll definitely find the suitable model for yourself.

Do you agree that down pillows are the comfiest ones? Are you ready to pay a bit more for this natural material and its superb softness? Tell us what you think in the comments below!

Additional Resources:

Best Cooling Pillows On The Market – Buying Guide and our Top 7 picks

Best Memory Foam Pillows – Buying Guide and Our Recommendations 

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