“There is no one size fits all when choosing the right pillow for you; the key is to determine which is best suited for you,” explains Dr. Peter Polos, MD, PhD, a sleep medicine expert. “Down alternatives typically are hypoallergenic. These pillows can come in varying firmness, which is purely a personal decision. The firmer, the more fill, and the thicker the pillow.” After countless hours of research, our top pick is Slumber Cloud’s Core Down Alternative Pillow, which is a high-quality option that’s designed to mimic the warmth and loftiness of down. Here are the best down alternative pillows to bring home. This down-alternative pillow comes in two densities to suit your sleep style and preferences. Our tester noticed that they slept on their back and side more when using this pillow, minimizing stress on their neck. The brand also boasts NASA-approved cooling technology designed to fight off heat night after night. This definitely impressed our tester since their temperature remained steady and regulated all night long. What’s more, Slumber Cloud provides a 60-night trial period so you can decide if this pillow is right for you. Each pillow is filled in the United States and all materials are Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certified, so you can feel good about where you lay your head at night. Additionally, the pillow is STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX certified and can be machine washed. Though inexpensive, the down alternative stayed put and formed to our testers’ head and shoulders while they slept. They noted that the fill resets each day rather than quickly flattening after one use. What’s more, it remained cool through the night, even though down pillows can often become hot when in use. Sleep Number lets you try out this pillow for up to 100 days and return or exchange it as needed, which is helpful since there’s only one density option. The pillow can be machine-washed, but the brand recommends using a commercial-sized front-loading washer, such as ones you’d find at a laundromat. This pillow comes in standard, queen, and king sizes, and it’s filled with hypoallergenic polyester material. The cover is a 250-thread-count damask cotton fabric, and it can be machine washed and dried for easy maintenance. The inner layer of this pillow is more firm and supportive, while the outer layer is soft and cushioning. The cover is made of a breathable percale weave, and our testers found that it stayed cool and comfortable throughout the night. These pillows come in standard, queen, and king sizes, and they can be machine washed, though the company recommends a front-loading commercial machine, if possible. Plus, the product is backed by The Company Store’s lifetime guarantee, which means it can be returned at any time for an exchange or merchandise credit. These pillows are crafted in Mason, Ohio, and you can choose from standard or king sizes, as well as three firmness levels. The brand offers a 30-night sleep trial, as well as free returns, and the pillow can be machine washed as needed. The Buffy Pillow is covered in a 300-thread-count sateen lyocell shell, an earth-friendly fiber that’s derived from sustainable wood sources like eucalyptus, and it helps to absorb moisture to keep you cool all night long. The pillow comes in standard and king sizes, and there are three firmness levels to suit all sleep preferences. The only downside is that this pillow is dry clean only, making it harder to wash. The cover on these pillows is made from 100 percent cotton, and it has piping along the edges for a neat and tailored appearance. The pillows can be machine washed and air-dried for easy maintenance, but the only downside is that they don’t come with extra fill, so you can’t make the pillow denser.
What to Look for in a Down Alternative Pillow
Fill Material
Most down alternative pillows use a synthetic fiber filling to mimic the feel of down feathers. Polyester microfiber is the most commonly used material, but some brands have proprietary synthetic fillings that offer additional benefits. If you suffer from allergies, you may also want to look for a pillow that has a hypoallergenic fill, like our top pick from Slumber Cloud.
Density
Your personal preferences and sleep position often dictate whether you like a softer or more firm pillow, and most down alternative pillows come in several density options. Our testers loved picking the firmness that fits their sleeping style. Luckily, brand website often offer helpful information for finding your perfect fit. Firm pillows will have more stuffing and keep your head supported throughout the night, while plush pillows are lightly stuffed to allow your head to sink in more.
Sleep Position
Certifications
As you shop for down alternative pillows, you’ll likely see products that are labeled as STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX certified. This designation means that every component of the product has been tested for harmful substances and is safe for human health.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Camryn Rabideau is a freelance writer and product tester for The Spruce. She considers herself a pillow connoisseur, and she’s had firsthand experience sleeping on many different pillows, including the Made By Design Medium Density Bed Pillow (view at Target) included on this list. While researching down pillows for this article, she spoke with Dr. Peter Polos, MD, PhD, a sleep medicine specialist, for insight on the importance of selecting the right pillow. As she selected products to include, she looked at factors such as the fill material, size options, density options, and product certifications.
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.
