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Few things are better than a good night’s sleep. Not only does it help you recover from a tough day, but it also leaves you feeling refreshed the next morning and ready to tackle your day, whether you’re a student, you work a full time job, or you’re taking care of the kids.
In order to get a good night’s rest, a few things are essential – a warm blanket to beat an overnight chill, a soft mattress that keeps you comfortable all night long, and a pillow that is supportive enough to help fight off neck aches but still soft enough to provide you with that rest you need. A down pillow offers the best of both worlds.
Top Rated: See The 10 Best Down Pillows of 2017
| Picture | Name | Brand | Price | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
 | Royal Hotel's Goose Down Pillow | Royal Hotel | $$$$ | 4.9 |
 | Better Down Superior Goose Down Pillow | Better Down | $$$ | 4.8 |
 | Right Choice Beddings Down Alternative Pillow | Five Star | $$ | 4.7 |
 | Queen Size White Goose Feather and Goose Down Pillow | Better Down | $$$ | 4.7 |
 | Puredown White Goose Feather and Down Pillow | Puredown | $$ | 4.7 |
 | Set of 2 - Queen Size White Goose Feather and Goose Down Pillows | Web Linens Inc | $$ | 4.6 |
 | Z Cotton Encased Down Blend Pillow | MALOUF | $$ | 4.6 |
 | Comfy Solutions Standard Down Alternative Pillow | Comfy Solutions | $$ | 4.6 |
 | Grand Down All Season Down Alternative Standard Pillow Set | Grand Down | $$ | 4.6 |
 | Beyond Down Gel Fiber Side Sleeper | Sleep Better | $ | 4.5 |
| Picture | Name | Brand | Price | Rating |
Smart Shoppers Guide: What is a Down Pillow?
Contents
Most pillows are stuffed with cotton, foam, or a combination of natural and synthetic materials. A down pillow differs in that it is filled with soft down. Down from ducks and geese is known for its softness, which is why it’s a popular choice in bedding. Down pillows are soft yet supportive, and many users compare it to sleeping on a cloud.
These pillows are slightly more expensive, but those who can’t get comfortable at night find that the extra sleep and comfort they gain is well worth the additional cost.
What are the Advantages?
There are several advantages of owning and using one of these pillows. The first and most important is just how soft they are. These are designed for ultimate comfort while sleeping at night, napping, or just reading a book in bed. Another advantage is that they hold their shape well, so with proper care, they can easily last for years without getting thinner and wearing out.
Even though they are really soft, they offer adequate support for the head and neck, so you won’t wake up with a stiff neck or aches and pains from sleeping on an unsupportive pillow. These are also much cooler than other materials, like memory foam.
What are the Different Types?
Before you rush out to buy new pillows for every bed in your home, you need to know what types of pillows are available. You don’t want to spend a fortune on a pillow that isn’t comfortable or just isn’t what you expected. To get started, it’s important to first distinguish between the different types of down pillows.
Alternative down
These are actually not made of down, but instead are made with different materials that replicate down. The advantage is that these are less expensive, and many are actually hypoallergenic so they’re a good alternative for those who suffer from allergies. The downside is that they aren’t quite as soft as real down, and they may lose their shape over time and need to be replaced far sooner.
True down pillows
These pillows are made with a combination of soft down and larger feathers from ducks and geese. These are more expensive, but they are softer and keep their shape longer than those made with alternative down materials.
Which Down Pillows are the Best on the Market in 2017?
Right Choice Bedding’s Down Alternative Pillow – You don’t have to spend a fortune to sleep like royalty with this luxurious alternative down product. This pillow is soft, comfortable, and very affordable. Care is easy – you don’t have to worry about paying for specialty dry cleaning and cleaning products, and to ensure your satisfaction, a warranty is provided.
Better Down Superior Goose Down Pillow – Why get down when you can get Better Down? This pillow is stuffed with soft down that keeps its shape. The supportive design cradles and holds to your head and neck, providing you with a peaceful night of slumber. This has a firmer density, making it a great choice for those who don’t like pillows that are too soft and side sleepers.
Royal Hotel’s Goose Down Pillow – With this brand, you won’t just receive one pillow, but you’ll get two for one great price. Although it is more expensive than other brands, the high-thread count cover and stuffed down filling are the epitome of luxury and comfort. These are also allergy-free, so anyone can use them.
Features to Consider
If you’re tired of your hard and uncomfortable pillow or your other pillows have all fallen flat, you might want to consider investing in a pillow filled with soft, luxurious down. Now that you know about the types and a few that are on the market, it’s time to really look at the details of what makes each product unique. By evaluating these four important features, you’ll be able to make a purchase that is right for your home.
Fill Power
The fill power refers to how fluffy the down is and how much space it takes up. It might seem complicated, but the rule of thumb is that the higher the fill power, the more comfortable the pillow will be. It’s also important to note that pillows with higher fill powers are generally much more expensive. However, they are more comfortable and often last much longer than other products.
Care
You need to evaluate how the pillow needs to be cared for. Some can be thrown in the washing machine and left to air dry. Others can be washed and dried, especially those made with alternative materials. Some may require dry cleaning. These typically last much longer, but if you don’t have the time and don’t want to spend the money on dry cleaning, you might want to consider purchasing another product.
Hypoallergenic
If you or someone in your home has allergies, you want to look for a product that is hypoallergenic. If not, you may have to deal with red, watery eyes, itchy skin, and other signs of allergies. Many true down and down alternative products are hypoallergenic.
Fill Power
Right Choice Bedding
Since this is down alternative, it does not have fill power. However, it has a 1.5-inch gusset that allows for maximum loft and fluffiness.
Better Down Superior Goose Down Pillow
This pillow has 700 fill power, so it’s soft, fluffy, and extra comfortable for sleeping and napping.
Royal Hotel
With a fill power of 750, this pillow is designed to make you sleep like royalty.
Care
Right Choice Bedding
This can be washed and dried in machines on cool settings.
Better Down Superior Goose Down Pillow
This pillow does not have to be dry cleaned. It can be washed on a cool setting in a washing machine and allowed to air dry for a minimum of 24 hours.
Royal Hotel
This product is dry clean only.
Hypoallergenic
Right Choice Bedding
This pillow is filled with hypoallergenic materials that make this ideal for anyone.
Better Down Superior Goose Down Pillow
Even those with allergies can sleep comfortably on this pillow that has hypoallergenic fill.
Royal Hotel
Those with allergies can rest easy on this hypoallergenic pillow.
Final Results: Read Our Down Pillow Reviews
Best Cheap Option: Right Choice Bedding
If you want all of the features of down without paying a very expensive price, this down alternative pillow is an option you’ll want to see. This pillow has all the fluffiness, softness, and comfort found in more expensive pillows, all for less than $50. Start by choosing from two different sizes, each made with a soft 300-thread count cover.
This has 100 percent hypoallergenic filling that is soft, retains its shape, and has great loft recovery. This pillow stays cool, keeping you comfortable all night long. This pillow is comfortable no matter how you sleep, whether it is on your stomach, back, or side.
Pros:
It is affordable. It retains its shape. Clean it in a washer and dryer – no dry cleaning charges. It is hypoallergenic. It is soft and comfortable. Comes with a 1-year warranty.
Cons:
It isn’t quite as soft and durable as pillows made with real down. Not as supportive as other pillows. It goes flatter faster than more expensive products.
Best Value: Better Down Superior Goose Down Pillow
You’ll sleep better than even when your head and neck are cradled in soft, luxurious white goose down. This pillow is designed to help you get the best night’s sleep, combining features like 700 fill power and a 300-thread count cover. This pillow is soft but firm enough to offer the support you need while sleeping, relaxing, or just watching TV in bed.
This is a standard 20” x 30” pillow that molds to your head and neck. It is ideal for all sleepers, whether you sleep on your side or your back. It is hypoallergenic so it’s a great choice for anyone. Care is easy, too. You won’t spend a fortune or be without your pillow because of dry cleaning – you can wash this in your machine and allow it to air dry to keep it soft, clean, and ready for use.
Pros:
It is very plush and soft. It offers just the right amount of firmness for support without sacrificing comfort. More affordably priced than similar products.
Cons:
It is a bit expensive. It takes a few days to properly break it in to be comfortable and supportive.
Best Down Pillow Overall: Royal Hotel
Sleep like royalty on this luxurious pillow that combines comfort with exceptional support. Though this pillow may seem a little pricey, you actually get two, so you have one to share with someone else in your household. When compared to similar products, it is priced very competitively for a pillow that contains genuine down filling.
With 750 fill power, this pillow is soft and supportive, and it retains its shape so it can be your favorite pillow for years to come. It has added softness from the 500 thread count Egyptian cotton cover. Each pillow contains hand-plucked white goose down, renowned for its softness. This pillow is perfect for anyone, including side sleepers and those who suffer from allergies.
Pros:
It is very supportive. It is extremely soft and fluffy. Great for any type of sleeper. The fill is hypoallergenic. You get two pillows for one price. It has a high thread count cover for added softness. They retain their shape.
Cons:
They are a bit expensive. They are dry clean only, which is more of a hassle and an expense than pillows that can be laundered in a home machine.
Closing Thoughts
You just can’t put a price on great sleep, and while a comfortable and supportive mattress and soft warm bedding are just part of the equation for a good night’s rest, the best down pillow is the solution for peaceful slumber. You just can’t go wrong with a high-quality down pillow, and the pillows by Royal Hotel just can’t be beat. Although they do seem a little more expensive than other products, you receive two – one for yourself and one for another family member, you get a high fill power for extra softness and support, and luxury that is truly unmatched for the best sleep you’ve ever had.