The Top 6 Down Pillows, Thoroughly Tested and Reviewed

Top Pick Overall

Goose down is celebrated for its lightness and fluffiness, which is why the Kassatex European White Goose Down Pillow stands out as one of the most luxurious options we tested. Its marshmallow-like texture and durability left us impressed, providing the best of both down and synthetic materials. We slept comfortably all night, enjoying excellent airflow that kept us cool throughout.

Among all the pillows we tested, this one stood out with the highest loft at 8 inches. Available in three firmness options—soft, medium, and firm—we were pleased to find that it maintained its shape and fluff without needing any fluffing or flipping, even after making the bed each morning. After three months of use, it still fit perfectly in the pillowcase. However, after washing it at the six-month mark, we noticed a slight loss of fluffiness, though it never became flat, just slightly reshaped.

While the pillow is filled with darker feathers, a pillowcase is necessary to cover it. Despite this, the plush yet structured feel makes it a great choice. Additionally, its machine-washable design earns it extra points for ease of maintenance.

Firmness: Soft, medium, firm | Fill Power: 650 | Fill: European white goose down | Cover: Cotton | Care: Machine wash delicate, tumble dry low | Certifications: RDS | Return Policy: 60 days

Best Firm

The Gulkavle Pillow from Ikea is an excellent choice for those who value firmness and support. It’s durable, holds its shape well, and provides substantial support with its inner core filled with extra feathers. The outer core is filled with soft down to ensure a smooth feel against your face. Its lightweight design makes it easy to adjust the pillow's position as needed during the night.

The pillow’s sturdy design offers excellent support, especially for back and side sleepers. Although it has a comfortable density, its low profile means it may require some additional fluffing. If you prefer a higher loft, adding a second pillow will provide extra comfort. Whether used alone or with additional pillows, it remains durable and consistent, with the filling holding up well without clumping even after six months of use.

Firmness: Firm | Fill: Duck down and feathers | Cover: Cotton | Care: Machine washable | Return Policy: 90-day exchange period

Softest

The Helix Down and Feather Pillow is incredibly soft and fluffy, offering a hotel-like experience. Its unique three-chamber design consists of an inner core filled with a blend of feathers and down, while the two outer layers feature soft white down for added comfort. The high-quality craftsmanship is evident in the well-constructed interior and double-stitched edges.

The pillow perfectly molded to our head and neck, with only a half inch of loft lost during testing. It did get a bit warm as the night went on, but flipping it over kept us cool until morning.

The team had varied opinions about the pillow's firmness—some found its cloud-like softness perfect, while others felt it was too plush and unsupportive. For side sleepers, it might not offer the necessary firmness, but if you prefer a light and airy pillow, this could be a great choice.

Firmness: Soft | Fill Power: 550 | Fill: Down and feather blend | Cover: Cotton | Certifications: RDS | Return Policy: 100 days

Best Cooling

The Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillow gave off a high-quality impression from the moment we received it, even before we unboxed it. The outer shell is made from a luxurious, tightly woven organic cotton, eliminating concerns about down feathers escaping, and it’s filled with three chambers of down that have been triple-washed to exceed U.S. standards.

Sleeping on the pillow felt as luxurious as it appeared. It was never too hot and kept us cool throughout the night. However, we did notice that it flattened relatively quickly. After several nights of consistent use, the loft decreased by about an inch. Despite this, we continued using it for three months and found it more comfortable than many other pillows we’ve tried. Even after a machine wash, the pillow went through what felt like a “factory reset,” returning to its original firmness and support.

Firmness: Soft, medium, firm | Fill Power: Not listed | Fill: Feather and down | Cover: Organic cotton | Care: Machine wash on gentle cycle | Certifications: IDS, RDS, GOTS, Oeko-Tex | Return Policy: 30 days

Ideal for Back Sleepers

Back sleepers in need of neck support without any discomfort or stiffness will appreciate a soft, flat pillow. Our back-sleeping testers loved the Puredown pillow, which provided the perfect fill to support their heads comfortably while still gently elevating their necks.

Crafted with an 80% feather and 20% microfiber blend, this pillow resisted clumping compared to other polyester options. It held its shape well during testing, springing back quickly after we rested on it. Substantial yet not overstuffed, it cradled our necks nicely. Despite its durability, it was lightweight enough to reposition with ease throughout the night.

Though it felt a bit rougher than some pure down alternatives, with a slight crinkle in the feathers when handled, the 100% cotton cover was thick enough to prevent feathers from poking through. Considering its affordable price, we were impressed with its high quality. After six months, it remains in excellent condition.

Firmness: Medium | Fill Power: Not specified | Fill: 80% feather, 20% microfiber | Cover: 100% cotton | Care: Machine wash, gentle cycle | Certifications: RDS, Oeko-Tex | Return Policy: 30 days

Ideal for Side Sleepers

Side sleepers require extra neck support to avoid discomfort. The L.L. Bean pillow, with its 700-fill power, offers a firm cushion that holds its shape throughout the night, making it ideal for people who change sides while they sleep. After a month of use, the side sleepers on our team agree: this is the best down pillow we've ever tested.

Available in three different fill levels—soft, medium, and firm—the firm option is ideal for side sleepers. Whether resting on our back or side, it conformed quickly to our body's contours, providing a great combination of softness and support.

Although it started to lose some loft after three months of use, washing it restored the pillow's fluffiness almost back to its original state. However, it does take a long time to dry, which makes the fluffing process a bit time-consuming. Additionally, we found it hard to fit a pillowcase on it due to its thick design; a standard pillowcase made it too firm, so we recommend using a bag-style pillowcase instead.

Firmness: Soft, medium, firm | Fill Power: 700 | Fill: Duck down | Cover: Cotton | Care: Machine-washable | Certifications: RDS | Return Policy: One year

Final Thoughts

Our top recommendation is the Kassatex European White Goose Down Pillow, praised for its exceptional quality, long-lasting durability, and minimal need for regular fluffing. For those who sleep hot and need a breathable option, the Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillow is a great choice, keeping us comfortably cool all night.

Our Evaluation Method

We tested 19 down pillows at home, sleeping on each for several nights. Upon their arrival, we examined the materials and construction of each pillow, closely inspecting their quality. We also measured the loft (the height at its fullest), along with the length and width, before placing each pillow into a case to assess how well it fit.

During use, we concentrated on the level of support each pillow provided, always remembering that comfort is a personal preference. We also noted its breathability, observing if it kept us cool or felt suffocating as we slept. In the mornings, we evaluated its support after hours of use. After several uses, we followed the care instructions for washing and drying, then examined any changes in fill or firmness, and looked for signs of damage or shrinkage.

Each pillow was rated based on key factors such as quality, airflow, comfort, durability, and value. For the long-term test, we continued using them for six months, monitoring how well they held up after washing, whether they flattened out over time, and if any feathers began to poke through.

How to Shop for Down Pillows Like a Pro

Material

When it comes to down pillows, two factors are crucial: the inner filling and the outer shell. Some pillows combine polyester or memory foam with down, which affects their firmness and airflow. Pillows filled with a mix of down and other materials tend to hold their shape better and prevent feathers from poking out, but they might not feel as soft or plush as all-down pillows. For allergy sufferers, look for pillows made with washed and certified hypoallergenic feathers.

It's important to consider the material used for the pillow's outer cover, especially if you plan to use it without a pillowcase. Pillows made from Oeko-Tex or GOTS-certified cotton are free from harsh chemicals, making them a great option for those with sensitive skin or allergies.

Firmness

Down pillows are available in various firmness levels, each suited to different sleep positions. Dr. Dimitriu explains that side sleepers typically need a firmer pillow to keep their head and neck aligned with the shoulders. Stomach sleepers benefit from a soft, thin pillow that avoids awkward neck angles during sleep. Back sleepers, on the other hand, are best suited to softer, flatter pillows that won't cause neck strain.

For those who toss and turn during the night, finding the right pillow firmness can be more challenging. In general, side and back sleepers tend to prefer a medium-firm pillow, while stomach sleepers do better with a thinner pillow. Ultimately, Dr. Dimitriu advises that the most important factor is comfort—make sure your pillow feels right and keeps your neck aligned with your spine.

Certifications

Some pillow manufacturers have their products certified by third-party organizations to verify the quality of the down and outer fabric. The most stringent certification for the outer fabric is the Global Organic Textiles Standard (GOTS), which ensures that the materials are organic, responsibly sourced, and free from harmful chemicals throughout the production process. You may also encounter pillows with the Oeko-Tex 100 certification, confirming that the product is free of harmful chemicals, although it doesn’t cover the entire supply chain.

When it comes to down filling, the key certification to look for is the Responsible Down Standard (RDS). According to Hoban, this means the down comes from ducks and geese that have been treated humanely, following The Five Freedoms of animal welfare. Another certification to watch for is the International Down Standard (IDS), which ensures that down doesn’t come from a supply chain involving unnecessary harm, force-feeding, or live-plucking. The IDS also checks suppliers that use RDS-approved down.

More Down Pillows to Consider

Garnet Hill Signature White Down Pillow: This pillow offers a silky smooth exterior that felt wonderful against our skin and did a good job of regulating body temperature overnight. However, it requires frequent fluffing and didn’t live up to expectations in terms of durability, especially considering its high price.

Parachute Down Pillow: The Parachute Down Pillow stood out to us with its balance of versatility, durability, and support. It didn’t need frequent fluffing, but after three months of use, it did flatten a bit, making it more suitable for propping up than for sleeping on.

Questions You Might Ask

Should I choose a down or down-alternative pillow?

When shopping for pillows, you’ll come across both down and down-alternative varieties. Real down comes from the soft feathers beneath a duck or goose's outer layer, which helps them stay warm. Down alternative, however, is made from synthetic materials.

Down pillows are plush and soft, and because they lack the quills of traditional feather pillows, you won’t get poked while sleeping. They are also naturally breathable and temperature-regulating, making them an excellent choice for hot sleepers. However, they can be more difficult to clean and are significantly more expensive than down-alternative options.

In addition to personal preferences, allergies play a major role when choosing between down and down alternative pillows. Hoban explains, "Down can sometimes trigger seasonal allergies, so a down alternative pillow is a better choice if you're sensitive to dust and other allergens." There are also ethical concerns regarding animal welfare, particularly with the plucking and sourcing of down feathers. If this is important to you, a down alternative pillow might be the better option. Alternatively, you can opt for pillows certified by the RDS or IDS.

How long does a down pillow last?

Hoban suggests that with proper care, a down pillow can last for three years or more. However, its longevity depends largely on its quality, how often it's used, and how well it's maintained. For example, if the pillow is used as a secondary pillow, it might last longer than if it’s the primary one. A restless sleeper who frequently tosses and turns may notice the pillow losing its shape faster.

During testing, some pillows experienced a slight loss in fluff over time, but after a wash, they seemed to return to their original shape, almost like a "factory reset." Regardless, you’ll know it’s time to replace your pillow when it no longer fluffs up, even after washing.

Take Our Word for It

This article was authored by Jen Woo, a seasoned design, lifestyle, and culture writer for Mytour with more than a decade of expertise. She worked alongside Jamie Fischer, a Mytour writer with almost two years of experience writing about home, bedding, and cleaning products. Jamie has personally tested sheets, pillows, and comforters for the brand. To curate this list, we tested 19 down pillows, assessing them on quality, airflow, comfort, durability, and overall value. For professional insights into what to look for when shopping for sheets, we sought guidance from Alex Dimitriu, MD, of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, as well as Amy Hoban, the chief creative officer at Parachute.