Lightweight Sleepers Under 130lbs
The Casper Down pillow may not feel supportive enough for heavier people, but lightweight back sleepers may find its a good match. If you fall in this category, we recommend getting the mid loft pillow. This option will allow your neck and shoulders to rest in the most comfortable position.
The Casper Down pillow still wont work well for most lightweight side sleepers, however. When resting on your side, you want to ensure your ears line up with your shoulders. Because your head will sink deeper into the down filling, you probably wont maintain the correct position.
But just because it doesnt work for side sleepers doesnt mean everyone wont like it! Lightweight stomach sleepers will find the Casper down helps them keep their spines in the correct posture throughout the night. Take a look at our list of the best orthopedic pillows for more great options.
Enemies Of Down And Feather Pillows
In order for your down or feather pillow to last its entire lifetime, your going to want to avoid the following:
- Water: Getting your feather fill wet means the potential or mold, mildew, and not to mention the feathers stick together and become less fluffy. We recommend the dry cleaning method to avoid moisture in your down fill.
- Creams and Oils: Though your nighttime skincare routine is essential to the health of your face, it could be fatal to the surface of your nice down pillow. But dont worry, a pillowcase is an easy fix to any yellowing or discoloration caused by skincare products.
- Compression: Fluff, fluff, fluff your down or feather pillow to maintain that soft, cozy feel youre used to.
Can You Wash Down And Feather Pillows
Every type of pillow requires different steps for proper care. To safeguard your pillow against oils from your skin or spills, a pillow protector is advised. While many synthetic materials are safe to machine wash and dry, down and feather pillows are not. Follow the care instructions provided, and implement these steps for knowing how to wash down pillows.
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Down Vs Feather Pillows: Which One Should You Pick
Down and feather pillows are both excellent choices but you need to consider factors like sleeping habits and preferences to decide which one is right for you.
Here weve described the factors to help you make an informed call:
Casper Down Pillow Overview
As the first bed-in-a-box company, Casper has created quite a name for themselves. But they dont just sell online mattresses. Now, their lineup includes adjustable bases, sheets, and three types of pillows.
You can learn more about the Casper Foam and Casper Original pillows in our previous reviews, but today well focus specifically on the Casper Down. We tested the medium loft pillow, but its also available in a low loft.
This product is made from ethically sourced white duck down and feathers, and it feels like youre resting on a cloud. But even with its high-end features, this pillow may not suit every single person. Heres a quick overview of who may like the Casper Down pillow.
Who Might Like The Casper Down Pillow
- Stomach sleepers
- Fans of a down pillow
- People who want a pillow thats easy to clean and maintain
Who Might Not Like The Casper Down Pillow
- People who dont want to regularly fluff their pillows
- Those who are on a tight budget.
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What Is A Feather Pillow
Feather pillows are filled with the quills and soft plumage from the wings and back of a duck or goose. The feathers have stiff quills running through the centre, making them less plush than down but more supportive. The major downside of feather pillows is that the quills may poke out of the pillowcase and cause discomfort from time to time. Over time, feathers may also start to come out of the pillow and the pillow may start to feel lumpy.
Most feather pillows are mixed with varying amounts of down to give them the required loft and fluffiness. Higher feather content in the pillow means better support, while higher down filling makes the pillow loftier. Usually, higher the down content also means a higher price.
Pros of Feather pillows:
- Soft but not as soft as down.
- Feathers are heavier and offer better support than down.
- More affordable than down pillows but not as durable as down.
- Doesnt trap heat as much as down.
Cons of Feather Pillows:
- It contains quills, which may poke out and cause discomfort.
- They are not as fluffy as down but are fluffier than polyester and memory foam pillows.
- Due to the flat shape of the feathers, it easily collapses and needs to be regularly fluffed.
How Do You Know Which Pillow Is Right For You
Look for one that’s as thick as the distance between your ear and outside shoulder. Stomach sleepers may need a soft pillowor no pillow at allunderneath their head. A pillow under your stomach and pelvis may help prevent back pain. Back sleepers may need a flatter pillow, to keep your head and neck in alignment.
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Down Vs Down Alternative Pillows
Find out what makes down pillows and down alternative pillows different, what they have in common, and which one is right for you.
Disclosure: By clicking on the product links in this article, Mattress Nerd may receive a commission fee at no cost to you, the reader. Read full disclosure statement.
Down pillows and down alternative pillows both have benefits and drawbacks, depending on what youre looking for in a pillow. Both can help you get an amazing nights sleep, but they are definitely different. In this article, we want to outline what those differences are, the strengths and weaknesses of each, and which factors you should consider before choosing the correct pillow for you.
Check out our Best Pillow Guide for everything you need to know before purchasing a new pillow.
Extra Feather Pillow Vs Foam Pillow
The right pillow helps you sleep soundly, but the wrong one can leave you tossing and turning all night. Whether you sleep on your back, stomach or side, you need a pillow that gives you ample support. Feather- and foam-filled pillows are just two of your options. Feathers and foam provide different levels of softness, firmness and flexibility.
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Are Feather Types Good For Neck Pain
According to Harvard Medical School, feather is an excellent option for helping those with neck pain because it can mold to the shape of your neck, making it easy to customize. Synthetic materials may not give so easily and may be too high or too low.
Want to see more? Check out our pillows for neck pain guide here.
How To Pick A Pillow
If you’re shopping for a feather pillow, expect to pay about $30 or more, as of spring 2014. High-quality down pillows can cost more than $70. The best feathers are goose and duck. Chicken and turkey feathers are weaker and less buoyant. If you prefer memory foam, you’ll probably pay between $35 and more than $100. Some memory-foam pillows are thicker and firmer than others, so pick one that has the support you need. According to a test by Consumer Reports, panelists found that both cheap and pricey memory-foam pillows were almost equally comfortable. Testers did notice a difference in feather pillows, though — they found the expensive ones more comfortable.
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Memory Foam Vs Down Pillows: How To Choose
Now that we have compared memory foam vs. down pillows, you need to think about your needs to see which type of pillow is the best option for you.
If youre a side sleeper, a memory foam pillow may be your ideal solution. This pillow offers adequate support for people who sleep on their sides, and it would help maintain the alignment of your spine, shoulders, and neck.
If youre worried about the potential heat retention of a memory foam pillow, consider opting for one that also includes latex. This can help to improve temperature regulation so you stay cooler during the night.
On the other hand, if you prefer to sleep on your stomach, or youre looking for a pillow that will be very soft, you might want to consider a down pillow instead. This is also a good option if you plan to use the same pillow for a long time and dont want to worry about it wearing out after a few months.
Which Option Is Better: Memory Foam Or Feather
Like most bedding, the answer to this question really depends on the individual and their unique sleep needs. If you are one that desires extra support for pain, memory foam is definitely something to consider. However, if you are looking for bedding that is luxurious and cozy, we suggest feather. Do you think memory foam or feather is better? Comment down below with which one you believe is the winner and share why!
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Disadvantages Of Down Alternative Pillows:
- With use, most down alternative filling will develop lumps.
- Theyre not moldable or malleable they do not hold their shape like genuine down pillows.
- They retain more heat than traditional down pillows.
Down Alternative Pillow Example: Queen Anne Down Alternative Pillow
Down alternative pillows are best for side and back sleepers. Theyre often too soft and thick for stomach sleepers.
What Is Memory Foam
Memory foam is initially firm but softens due to pressure and body heat, meaning it molds around the contours. In terms of pillows, this means it cradles the neck and head during sleep, feeling firm but offering a lot of support. Memory foam molds around the contours of the head or body and has a slow response time.
It was developed to improve the safety of aircraft cushions, and the technology was soon adopted by hospitals, for use in wheelchairs or beds of immobile patients to reduce bedsores and help spinal support. It eventually made its way to the consumer market in mattresses and pillows.
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Our Favorite Down Alternative Pillows
Pros And Cons Of A Down Alternative Pillow
Pros
- Great for those on a stricter budget, down alternative pillows give you the softness of down for a much more budget-friendly price tag.
- Down alternative pillows are great for hot sleepers because they retain less heat than down pillows.
- Those who have allergies or prefer not to use animal products in their daily life will appreciate that down alternative pillows are naturally hypoallergenic and vegan-friendly.
Cons
- The down alternative filling used in these types of pillows is typically not biodegradable, or it may take a long time to break down, making it a less eco-friendly option.
- Down alternative pillows typically only last one or two years.
- Depending on the quality of the pillow, some down alternative pillows are not nearly as soft as actual down.
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Feather Vs Down Pillow: Side
When searching for a new pillow, the number of options on the market can seem daunting. With a wide range of materials to choose from, you may find it challenging to settle on a pillow that will work for your specific needs. With this in mind, were going to look at two of the most popular materials for pillows: down and feather, to find which one is going to be perfect for your dreamiest sleep yet.
First, well go over the difference between down and feather pillows and then describe which material might be better suited for different types of sleepers.
Down Pillows: Pros And Cons
Down is made from a goose or ducks finest feathers, which are found underneath its tougher, exterior feathers. The best quality down is Hungarian goose down or European white goose down. That said, do check the label. Most so-called Down pillows are actually filled with a mixture of down and ordinary feathers, which means they’re cheaper but lower quality overall.
Down pillows are more expensive than synthetic pillows, but they also last much longer potentially for several years if you take care of them. So they may actually save you money over time.
Get a good quality one, and down pillows are soft, plush, and typically very comfortable. They are lightweight with a high loft and hold their shape over time, although they’ll benefit from regular plumping. From an environmental perspective, they’re a renewable and sustainable resource, although do check to make sure yours are coming from an ethically sound source.
So what are the downsides of down? It might not be a great option is you tend to sleep hot at night, as this kind of filling tends to trap heat and reflect it back at the sleeper. Also, because theyre soft, they dont provide as much support as, say, a memory foam pillow, and they’ll change shape overnight, too. If you suffer back, neck or joint problems, you might benefit from the more uniform support of a foam pillow.
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Which Is Better If I Have Allergies Memory Foam Or Down
If you want to purchase a truly hypoallergenic pillow, memory foam is the way to go. Memory foam can fight allergens like dust mites and pollen. Its also resistant to mold and bacterial growth as long as you keep it dry. Whats more, memory foam is not an animal product, so it wont trigger those with animal allergies.
The only time memory foam might be more irritating to your allergies is when you have sensitivities to chemicals. Memory foam is synthetic, so it may increase your allergy symptoms if youre bothered by chemical smells or artificial ingredients.
Synthetic Pillows: Pros And Cons
Synthetic pillows, typically filled with polyester stuffing, are the most common type of pillow. They’re generally cheaper than down, as well as being firmer. Many can be machine-washed , which means they can be a more practical option for allergy sufferers. The downsides here are that if you go for a cheaper synthetic pillow, it’ll likely become flat and lumpy over time, which means they can prove to be a false economy. Some can also trap body heat.
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Are Down Pillows The Same As Feather Pillows
No. Down and feather pillows come from different parts of the birds bodies. Down is the under-feather or the layer of feathers between the birds skin and its outer feathers. Feather pillows are made of these outer feathers. That means theyre tougher and stiffer than down.
Feather pillows tend to be heavier and offer firmer support than down pillows. Feather pillows also tend to go flat, while down bounces back to its original loft after you move. Feather pillows also have quills, which can poke through the pillowcase and prick you.
If you want a more substantial pillow, feathers are probably for you. If you want a light, squishy pillow, down will likely be your preferred option.
