The best down pillows are light and fluffy, with a signature cozy airiness that just feels luxurious. They also come in different densities, which means you can find one that feels softer or firmer depending on what you prefer. That makes it easy for anyone to get a great down pillow regardless of sleeping position. Our top choice overall is the Parachute Down Pillow because it offers a great down-to-feather ratio for the price and comes in three options: soft, medium and firm.
The best down pillows come in different firmnesses to fit your sleep style. Feather Pillows For Sale
Down is a type of feather that’s composed of geese and ducks’ warm, lofty undercoat. Many down pillows are made with a mix of down and feathers, and the fact that these materials come from ducks and geese underscores the need for responsible, humane sourcing. That’s what we kept top of mind as we compiled our recommendations for the best down pillows. That being said, if you’re more interested in down alternative pillows, we compiled a list of our top recommendations for those, too.
Fill power: Not listed | Composition: Down and feather | Certification: Responsible Down Standard | Care: Machine wash on cold
We recommend the Parachute Down Pillow for most sleepers because it has the soft, fluffy feel down is known for, but without compromising on support. It’s made of 85% goose down and 15% down and feather fibers encased in a cotton shell. In our tester’s notes on loft and care, she found it retained its structure well (providing great support for the head and neck) and held up well against several rounds of washing and drying.
For side sleepers, we advise opting for the medium to firm options while back and stomach sleepers are better off with a soft or medium. We also like that the Parachute comes with a three-year warranty; should your pillow have any defects in the time frame, Parachute will send you a replacement at no extra cost.
Fill power: Not listed | Composition: Down and feather | Certification: Responsible Down Standard | Care: Machine washable
The Lacrosse feather and down pillow from The Company Store is a nice balance of softness and support, thanks to its two-chamber construction. An inner core of 98% feathers and 2% down is wrapped in an exterior chamber filled with down, so you get a soft and cushy pillow that doesn’t compromise on support. That inner core makes it a great choice for side and back sleepers in particular. Plus, at about $100 for a standard size, this pillow is one of the cheapest on our list and a great value for a responsibly sourced down product.
Fill power: Not listed | Composition: Down and feather | Certification: Downmark | Care: Dry clean
Brooklinen’s down pillow comes in two sizes and three densities. For back sleepers, the middle of the road pick—which the company dubs “mid-plush”—has the airiness of down without compromising on support. It’s an essential combination for back sleepers to snooze comfortably all night long. The pillow has a dual-core construction, with a firmer inner layer of feathers surrounded by another layer of soft down, which is sustainably sourced from Hutterite Farms in Canada. Brooklinen’s down pillows are treated with antimicrobial additives to keep them fresh, clean and odor-free for longer.
Fill power: 625 | Composition: Down | Certification: Downmark | Care: Dry clean
Different sleep positions need different levels of support. With three density options, these Lincove down pillows deliver—regardless of how you sleep. The pillow comes in soft, medium and firm options to accommodate stomach, back and side sleepers, respectively. Each pillow is stuffed with Canadian down for a cloud-like feel (hence the name, according to the company). The sateen shell is double stitched for durability, and to keep all that fluffy down safely tucked away.
Fill power: 750-700 | Composition: Down | Certification: International Down Standard | Care: Wash in cold water
Like other pillows on list, this one from Boll & Branch Chamber Down Pillow comes in three densities to suit different sleep styles. We think the soft option is a great pick for stomach sleepers who prefer pillows that are marshmallowy soft and won’t awkwardly angle their necks. The down fill also makes the soft pillow pliable so you can adjust it to suit your needs. The medium and firm options have a three-chamber construction, which gives them a little boost of support and should keep the fill well distributed if you prefer a firmer pillow.
The soft option is all down, instead of the down-and-feather blend you’ll find in the other densities. That’s the reason it doesn’t rely on chamber construction, as down doesn’t tend to poke out of a pillow the same way feathers can. Boll & Branch pillows also have a sturdy organic cotton cover to minimize the risk of down or feathers escaping. The down is triple washed for a cleaner, longest-lasting loft.
What our editors say: “This pillow is dream worthy,” says former mattress and sleep editor Lindsey Vickers. “It quickly became one of my favorite pillows, as the soft version has the ideal level of cushion for me as a stomach sleeper. I find it has the give and compression that I love about down, but I’m also relieved the fill materials are ethically sourced, because that’s equally important to me.”
Fill power: 650 | Composition: Down | Certification: Responsible Down Standard | Care: Dry clean
The Original Queen Pillow comes in three sizes (standard, queen, king) and three firmnesses (soft, medium, firm). According to reviewers, the medium is a universally comfortable pick for sleepers who tend to switch positions throughout the night. Another bonus for active sleepers: The all-down fill means this pillow is quieter than down-and-feather options, which can make a surprisingly noisy “crunch” when you move. The pillow has a durable cotton cover with piped edges to help it maintain its shape.
Fill power: 700 | Composition: Down | Certification: Responsible Down Standard | Care: Machine washable
Cascade Made pillows come in a range of hard-to-find sizes (including travel and Euro square) and extra-soft to extra-firm densities. With its fluffy loft and ample support, the medium firm option is a great pick for side sleepers. The 700 fill power is a measure of the down cluster size—the higher the number, the fluffier and more supportive the pillow. If you find that the pillow you bought is too soft or too firm within a year of purchase, the company will adjust it accordingly for the cost of shipping and any down added. It’s unusual to find a company that will tinker with fill levels, rather than just disposing of used pillows and sending an entirely new one. That makes this a more eco-conscious option as well.
Fill power: Not listed | Composition: Down and feather | Certification: None | Care: Machine wash with cold water
Coyuchi’s down feather pillow is another three-chamber option. The center is a blend of 80% down and 20% feathers, which is designed to provide internal structure, with an all-down fill on either side. That design gives it a soft feel that doesn’t veer into squishy territory. Instead, it has a medium-firm feel and customers note that it holds its shape well.
Despite not having a Responsible Down Standard certification, Coyuchi says its down comes from an Indiana duck farm that is routinely audited for well-being guidelines to ensure humane practices. The guidelines are reviewed every two years by animal welfare and bird behavior academics, so we felt comfortable including it in this round-up.
Our sleep experts have throughly reviewed and tested countless pillows spanning different materials; besides down and down alternative, we’ve covered memory foam and latex pillows, too. More importantly though, we know what features make a pillow ideal for different sleep positions and needs. Our mattress and sleep editors Bridget Chapman and Mckenzie Dillon are both certified sleep science coaches who have years of experience evaluating mattresses and bedding. Co-author Jessica Timmons has extensive knowledge covering all things health and lifestyle, specifically sleep and wellness. (Check out her stories on the best twin xl mattresses and the best mattresses for back sleepers, among others.)
Together, they keep tabs on the latest developments within the pillow industry to provide the most accurate and up-to-date recommendations to our readers. They collaborate with senior strategy editor Katie Simpson and sleep updates writer Alexandra Garrett to regularly refresh our advice. This story was lasted updated in December 2023 to crown the Parachute Down Pillow our best pick overall.
There is no shortage of down pillows out there, but certain considerations make it easy to zero in on those that are made well. Here’s what we kept in mind as we rounded up our top contenders:
Down pillows come in all shapes and sizes, and they have different sensations, too. From fill power to density, certifications to size, this is what you'll want to keep in mind as you shop.
Down is a natural material, and it naturally compresses over time. That means down pillows can eventually flatten and lose their shape. Most manufacturers advise fluffing their products on a daily basis. A good shake or two end to end and side to side helps keep your pillow lofty as long as possible.
You may have seen fill power referenced on down jackets in relation to warmth, but it’s important for pillows for another reason. Fill power is a reference to the size of the down clusters. The higher the fill power, the larger the cluster. Bigger down clusters give a pillow an airier, softer feel and indicate the down is higher quality. Typically, down pillow fill power ranges from 350 to 700 and higher, with 600 and above considered good quality.
This is another term for firmness, or how soft a pillow feels. While down pillows in general are soft and airy, they come in different densities to provide soft, medium or firm support and sensation. Your preferred sleep position can clue you in to the appropriate pillow density.
While we’ve included several “all-down” pillows on our list, but if you look at it technically, there’s actually no such thing as a 100% down pillow. Separating feathers from down clusters is incredibly time-consuming, difficult and expensive. Inevitably, down, feather and fiber ends up in products that are sold as down. However, the Federal Trade Commission regulates down labeling, and all down pillows are required to have labels indicating the percentage of down used. Pillows sold as “down” must have at least 75% down, though if you sliced one open you’d likely still find a few errant feathers. The higher the percentage of down, the higher the price tag.
When we talk about down pillows, we’re talking about materials that come from geese and ducks that are raised primarily for food purposes. Ensuring that these products are sourced in a humane manner is non-negotiable, so avoid down products that aren’t certified by RDS, IDS or Downmark. However, some people who follow a vegan lifestyle choose to avoid down altogether.
Always check the label first, but in general, most manufacturers of down pillows recommend washing or dry cleaning their pillows annually or semi-annually to clean away dust mites, bacteria, dirt, stains, sweat and oil that accumulates. Most down pillows can be machine washed and tumbled dry, while others need to be professionally dry cleaned. Consult the brand website for your pillow to make sure you follow proper care and maintenance instructions. For your convenience, we included care instructions for each of the pillows on our list, but it’s not a bad idea to confirm by double-checking the label or brand website.
The best down pillow for you is unique to your specific sleep style and preferences. Side sleepers usually benefit from a pillow with a higher loft, while back and stomach sleeper feel most comfortable with a flatter pillow. We crowned the Parachute Down Pillow the best down pillow overall because it offers everything you want from a down pillow—a soft, fluffy and luxuriously airy feel—but without lacking support. It’s also affordable and available in soft, medium and firm options.
Because down is naturally sourced from ducks and geese, it’s typically more expensive than pillows made from memory foam or down alternative materials. On average, expect to pay between $100 and $300 for a quality down pillow. Typically, a higher price tag correlates with a higher ratio of down, and ultimately, a softer, more fluffy pillow. That being said, you can still find quality options that feel just as soft for $150 or less, like the Brooklinen Down Pillow and the Coyuchi Down Feather Pillow.
I'm an Oakland-based technology reporter and Senior Writer at Forbes. Contact me at semerson@forbes.com or securely on Signal at 510-473-8820.
I'm an Oakland-based technology reporter and Senior Writer at Forbes. Contact me at semerson@forbes.com or securely on Signal at 510-473-8820.
I joined Forbes as the Europe News Editor and will be working with the London newsroom to define our coverage of emerging businesses and leaders across the UK and Europe. Prior to joining Forbes, I worked for the news agency Storyful as its Asia Editor working from its Hong Kong bureau, and as a Senior Editor in London, where I reported on breaking news stories from around the world, with a special focus on how misinformation and disinformation spreads on social media platforms. I started my career in London as a financial journalist with Citywire and my work has appeared in the BBC, Sunday Times, and many more UK publications. Email me story ideas, or tips, to iain.martin@forbes.com,
I’m a freelance writer who covers the outdoors, the environment and travel. Before diving into a writing career, I spent years in the outdoor industry as a backpacking guide running multi-day trips in Yosemite, Yellowstone, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks. I was born and raised in Baltimore, Maryland but now live in Salt Lake City, Utah where I spend my time trail running, climbing, and biking. You can see my work in other publications like Outside, Climbing, and SELF, or on my website: www.hannah-singleton.com.
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I’m the Forbes Vetted deputy editor, currently living near Detroit. After serving in the Air Force where I operated satellites and planned space launches, I have had a varied career as a tech journalist, wildlife photographer, scuba instructor and podcaster (including co-hosting the popular Battlestar Recaptica).
I am the author of nearly three dozen books about photography, mobile tech, and more; I’ve even authored a digital interactive storybook for kids. I spent eight years as a content lead at Microsoft where I helped to develop Windows Vista and Windows 7. And before joining Forbes Vetted, I contributed to many popular websites including CNET, PC World, How-To Geek and Business Insider.
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