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Do I Need a Down or Down Alternative Pillow?
The best down and down alternative pillows offer a fluffy, plush sleep surface. Additionally, genuine down pillows are breathable for a cool night's sleep. Down alternative pillows tend to be less expensive, hypoallergenic, and easy to care for. They're also a great choice if you prefer to use animal-free products. If you want a cloud-like, plush surface for your head and neck, you may need a down or down alternative pillow.
What Should I Look For in Down and Down Alternative Pillows?
From loft to care instructions, there are many considerations when shopping for the best down and down alternative pillows. Below we share tips to help you in your search.
Feel & Comfort
Made from the ultra-fine inner plumage of geese or ducks, down has a super-soft texture. You can expect a plush feel from a down pillow. In fact, sleeping on a down pillow has been described as feeling like sleeping on a cloud.
Many down alternatives come close to the cloud-like softness of natural down. Polyester and microfiber fills have a great fluffiness factor. If you're searching for a new down alternative pillow, you don't have to sacrifice a soft, plush feel.
Support & Sleep Style
With down and down alternative pillows, support depends on the firmness and thickness or loft of the pillow. Pillow firmness levels range from soft to firm, with light, fluffy down pillows generally having a soft feel. Although down alternative pillows can be slightly firmer, they still have an overall plush feel.
Pillow loft is generally divided into three thicknesses:
- High: more than 6"
- Medium: 3"- 6"
- Low: less than 3"
There are also adjustable down or down alternative pillows that have removable fill. These pillows allow you to customize the pillow to more precisely fit your preference. Keep in mind that your sleep style (as well as personal preference) will determine the right firmness and loft for your down or down alternative pillow.
Breathability and Temperature Control
If you tend to sleep hot, you'll want to look for a pillow that won't retain body heat. With its light and airy texture, down is a breathable fill material. Air circulates through the down and prevents body heat from becoming trapped in the pillow. Many down alternatives, such as polyester, are filled with materials that can hold body heat. However, some pillows have shells made of cooling materials, such as Tencel, that can help keep a down alternative pillow cool.
Options for People with Allergies
If you have allergies, a down alternative pillow may be the better choice. Down and feathers can trap dust mites, skin cells, and other allergens. However, people with allergies may be able to use down pillows that are made with deeply cleaned, responsibly sourced down. Talk to your health care provider about the best option for you.
Durability & Lifespan
Natural materials like down are generally more durable than synthetics. Down pillows, therefore, tend to have a longer lifespan than down alternative pillows. Generally, pillows have the following lifespan, based on type:
- Down/Feather: 1 to 3 years. It's time to replace your down pillow if it doesn't spring back to its full shape after you fold it in half.
- Down Alternative: 1 to 2 years, depending on the material. Polyester pillows may even need replacement in 6 months.
Care & Temperature
When searching for the best down or down alternative pillows, make sure you check the care instructions. Although many down pillows can go in the washing machine, it's important to read the instructions first. Some down pillows are not machine washable and can be spot cleaned only. For washable down pillows, wash every 4 to 6 months using a mild soap in cool or warm water on the gentle cycle. For down alternative pillows, wash every 4 to 6 months in warm water using the gentle cycle.
Price
Down pillows tend to be more expensive than down alternative pillows. Depending on the brand, down pillows can cost twice as much or more than down alternatives. Sometimes a sale price can make a down pillow as affordable as a down alternative pillow. High-end materials and construction details, however, can make a down alternative pillow more expensive.
How Do I Search For the Best Down and Down Alternative Pillows?
Before you shop, see the following sections on searching for your down or down alternative pillow. Our goal is to make your search easier.
Read Our Down and Down Alternative Pillow
We research down and down alternative pillows and post reviews on this website. To read our reviews, go to the top of the page and see the listed brands. Click on the links to read reviews of brands that interest you. You can also compare down and down alternative pillow brands at a glance, thanks to our comparison table, located just above this article.
Warranties and Home Trials
Most down and down alternative pillows come with a manufacturer warranty, typically ranging from 1 to 5 years. Down and down alternative pillows also often come with an at-home trial period or sleep trial. You can try the pillow at home during the trial period, which usually lasts 30 to 45 days, depending on the brand.
Shop Online
Thanks to the internet, you can search for the best down and down alternative pillows without leaving your home. Any time of day or night, you can shop online and avoid driving to multiple brick-and-mortar stores. You may even find an online-only discount, depending on the company.
Best Down and Down Alternative Pillows in the USA
We research and review down and down alternative pillow brands to make your search easier. Read our reviews and check our comparison table to help you search for the best down and down alternative pillows.
Saatva Down Chamber Pillow
Saatva Down Alternative Pillow
Brooklyn Bedding Feather & Down Comfort Pillow
