When browsing different options, you’ll notice that many “down pillows” are actually a mix of down and feathers, sourced from either geese or ducks. The percentage of down versus feathers will determine how firm the pillow is. “[Feather-heavy] pillows generally tend to be plush and on the softer side,” Dr. Roland adds, while down-heavy pillows generally provide more support. With insight from Dr. Roland in mind, we researched and tested top-rated, ethically sourced options with the certifications to prove it. In the end, we landed on the Parachute Down Pillow as our best overall pick, for its optimal comfort, impressive support, and multiple certifications. Read on for the best down pillows to add to your bedroom. Suiting a variety of sleep styles, the Parachute Down Pillow comes in two sizes (standard and king) and three levels of support, ranging from soft to firm. Our home tester, who’s a combination sleeper, opted for the medium-firm option and found it to be perfectly supportive throughout the night—despite occasionally having to flip it. “This product is really soft and comfortable to sleep on,” she said.“It cradles my neck, which I didn’t think it would do since it does deflate a little.” Keeping that in mind, stomach sleepers might want to opt for the firm option. Given its high price point, this pick does have a luxe factor: the sateen-weave cotton shell is breathable and smooth, slipping effortlessly into whichever pillowcase you choose to use. The pillow’s durability also impressed one of our long-term testers. “We love knowing that this product is made of quality materials that will stand up to many washes,” she said. It has a tight weave and double-stitched piping that work in tandem to help prevent any stray feathers from poking out, whether during use or in your washer/dryer (did we mention it’s machine-washable?). While this option certainly isn’t the most affordable bed pillow, we’d say it’s worth the initial investment. In case you change your mind, there’s a 90-day sleep trial, along with a three-year warranty. Price at time of publish: $149 for a Standard, medium fill This affordable pillow comes in standard, queen, and king sizes, and is completely machine-washable. It has a breathable, 100 percent cotton shell that’s filled with a mix of feather and down, giving it a comfortable and plush feel that our testers loved. However, unlike 100 percent feather-down pillows, you might be able some of the feathers inside. “The pieces of feather crinkle a bit in your hands if you hold it,” one of our testers noted. Luckily, the cotton shell is thick enough to prevent any of the feathers from actually poking out. Price at time of publish: $26.50 for a single Standard The Kassatex down pillows are available in two sizes and three firmness levels, ranging from Soft to Firm. Our home tester, who describes herself as a combination sleeper, opted for the Soft version and found it to perfectly adjust to her movements throughout the night—a pleasant surprise after a Goldilocks-level hunt for the perfect pillow. “Until recently I haven’t necessarily taken my pillow choices seriously,” she noted. “It was taking me a while to find the ‘just right’ pillow and this one is definitely it.” Price at time of publish: $200 for a Standard While this product isn’t RDS-certified, the feathers and down come from humanely raised ducks on an Indiana farm, and the 100 percent cotton shell is certified organic. This pillow is technically machine-washable, but only in an oversized machine without a center agitator. And you’re supposed to tumble-dry it very slowly on low heat, which may take up to three hours.Price at time of publish: $138 for a Standard The organic cotton cover is reinforced with a double-stiched edge for extra durability and is also Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it’s safe from potentially harmful chemicals and substances. The entire pillow is machine washable, which our home tester greatly appreciated. “The laundering process was super easy,” she said. “The pillow did not really smell much after getting it, but it definitely freshened it up [well].” Price at time of publish: $112 for a Standard This pillow is filled with a delightfully squishy 600 fill power duck down filling, which meets the Responsible Down Standard, and is encased in an Oeko-Tex certified, 100-percent cotton cover. Unlike some of the other options on this list, only the cover is machine-washable; if you want to clean the insert, you’ll have to bring it to a dry cleaner. All in all, though, this is a high-quality, durable option that stomach sleepers will love (and in case you don’t love it, the brand offers a 90-day sleep trial). Price at time of publish: $135 for a Standard While our home tester tried the medium-firm option, many of her insights still apply to the soft version—namely, the ease of cleaning and the quality of the down, which she says is “not lumpy at all.” “It’s very smooth and even and doesn’t get bunched up at all,” she adds. “I feel great about the fact that it’s easily machine washable and dryable. Also, I feel like it’s a little cooling, as my head doesn’t sweat at all while using it.” Price at time of publish: $158 for a Standard After one month of sleeping with this pillow, our home tester found it to be a worthy addition to her nightly routine. “This pillow is very supportive but not overly firm,” she notes. “I change positions a good bit during the night and [it] holds up to the challenge.” Just note that the cotton cover can be a bit hard to wrangle inside a pillowcase—but once it’s in, it’s in. Price at time of publish: $27 for a Queen These pillows are covered in a 300-thread-count cotton fabric with a subtle damask stripe, and the filling is put through a cleaning process that guarantees feathers are meticulously cleaned and free of dust and odor. The pillows can be cleaned in a commercial-size washer and dryer, and they’re well-priced as far as down pillows go. Price at time of publish: $89 for a Standard With a 2-inch gusset and puffy comfort that holds its loft, you can count on optimal support for your head and neck.¹ And the fill materials are RDS-certified, so you can rest assured they’re ethically sourced. This bed pillow is also conveniently machine-washable. Price at time of publish: $125 for a Standard
What is Spruce Approved?
Here at The Spruce we want to ensure we fully stand behind every product we recommend, and that when we say something is the best, we mean it. You might have noticed The Spruce Approved badge next to the products on this list. Every product with this badge has been rigorously tested in person and carefully selected by our expert team of lab testers and editors. In most cases, we buy all these products ourselves, though occasionally we get samples provided to us directly by companies. No matter how we procure products, they all go through the same tests and must meet the same strict criteria to make the best-of cut. We also pride ourselves on transparency and will always let you know if we received a product for free.
What to Look for in a Down Pillow
Down vs. Feathers
When browsing bed pillows, keep in mind that feathers and down fibers are not the same thing. While they’re both sourced from geese or ducks and offer natural breathability and temperature regulation, the materials have different qualities. Down is the undercoating of the bird, and the feathers are the outermost layer found on the back and wings—which is why feather-filled products sometimes contain quills. “Down pillows tend to be somewhat softer and hold their shape a bit better than feather pillows,” says Dr. Roland, explaining that a higher percentage of feathers may provide more support. There’s also the matter of goose vs. duck down. As you might expect, goose down tends to be larger than duck down, simply based on the size of the bird, which makes goose down more insulating and warmer.
Density
Most down pillows come in several density options, with the most common being soft, medium, and firm. A softer pillow is more squishy and allows your head to sink in more, while firmer pillows provide more support. In general, soft pillows are recommended for back or stomach sleepers, while firm pillows tend to be preferred by side sleepers. However, it’s really a matter of personal preference and what makes you comfortable. Many brands, including Boll & Branch, offer different density levels of the same pillow to find your perfect fit.
Sleep Position
It’s important to keep your spine in proper alignment during the night, and different sleeping positions often benefit from certain styles of pillows. “Back and side sleepers should strive for a pillow that aligns their neck and spine properly,” says Dr. Peter Polos, MD, Ph.D. “A pillow that’s too high or too low can cause neck discomfort.” Every tester shared their sleeping positions in their insights to get a better feel for how that pillow performed for their personal styles. In general, back and side sleepers enjoyed a firmer pillow, while stomach sleepers preferred something a bit softer.
Certifications
You should also look for various certifications, such as the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). “Make sure the down in the product is RDS-certified to ensure…the geese or ducks it came from were raised in the best way possible,” says Daniel J. Uretsky, Esq., president of Allied Feather & Down. Some feather pillows carry a DownPass label, which tells you the fill was ethically sourced from a traceable supply chain. Additionally, you’ll find Oeko-Tex certified options, ensuring the materials are free of over 100 harmful chemicals. And some pillows may have organic cotton shells certified by the Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS). As Uretsky explains, these labels “help assure the product is made in the best way possible for the birds throughout the supply chain, as well as for the health of our planet.” Many of our testers added points to picks with these certifications or that use eco-friendly materials.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Theresa Holland is a freelance writer and product reviewer specializing in bedding, home decor, and lifestyle. She interviewed two experts for this article, including Joshua Roland, MD, FAASM, a board-certified sleep medicine physician, expert, consultant, and medical director at Thirty Madison, and Daniel J. Uretsky, Esq., president of Allied Feather & Down. After researching the best feather pillows and compiling insights from our testers, she narrowed it down to high-quality options with reasonable care requirements for different sleeping styles. Lily Sperry, a commerce editor at The Spruce, contributed additional research and reporting. Expert advice was also provided by Robert Hayden, DC, chiropractor and spokesperson for the American Chiropractic Association.
