Frequently Asked Questions About Down Alternative Pillows
How much do down alternative pillows cost?
The average price for a down alternative pillow is between $20 and $30. High-quality down alternative pillows can range up to $80. Proprietary materials, cooling technology such as phase-change material or gel beads, and the quality of the cover can all raise the price-point.
How do I clean a down alternative pillow?
Most down alternative pillows are machine-washable and can be tumble-dried on low heat. Adding a tennis ball to the dryer can help ensure the pillow dries evenly and stays fluffy. Always be sure to check the care instructions before washing the pillow for the first time, as some may be dry-clean or spot-clean only.
Where can I buy a down alternative pillow?
Down alternative pillows are easy to find online and in brick-and-mortar stores. This gives them another advantage over feather and down pillows, which are comparatively rare.
How long do down alternative pillows last?
The average down pillow lasts around 2 years before needing to be replaced. Machine-drying the pillow and fluffing it regularly can help boost the loft for a while, but eventually, the contents will flatten out and the pillow will be unable to maintain its original height. As this lifespan is on the short end for a pillow, its something to keep in mind when setting your budget.
Are down alternative pillows adjustable?
Do down alternative pillows have an odor?
Tuft & Needle Foam Pillow
While some memory foam pillows tend to warm up during use, Tuft & Needles signature pillow is different. How so? Tuft & Needle uses its own T& N adaptive foam thats infused with graphite and cooling gel in order to provide a cooler resting experience. Its also testified and certified by CertiPUR-US to ensure that it has no known harmful chemicals.
If youre still worried about whether the Tuft & Needle foam pillow is right for you, fear not: Its backed by a full refund guarantee with a 30-night sleep trial, and it has a gimmick-free three-year warranty.
The Best Down Pillow Alternatives For A Great Nights Sleep
Down pillows feel so soft, but they can clump up, and they may trigger allergic reactions. Where can we find all the perks of down pillows without the lumps and runny noses?
Heres a handy list of alternative pillows that provide many of the benefits we associate with the down pillow without the drawbacks.
When we look for pillows, we seek soft cushions that provide needed support to our heads and necks – and sometimes, to other parts of our bodies. For decades, down pillows have served as the gold standard for pillows. Down feathers – as in, the fine feathers that lie under birds tougher pennaceous feathers — have been considered sacred by some Native American tribal communities for centuries, and Russian and Scandinavian farmers have utilized down feathers for insulation since at least the 17th century.
To this day, some people continue to value down pillows for their incredibly plush softness. But since down feathers tend to attract dust mites and mold as they age, they become more allergenic. Vegans also tend to shy away from down feathers, as theyre animal byproducts — some are even plucked from live birds. If youre concerned about allergies and/or animal cruelty, can you find pillows that match down pillows softness without being stuffed with feathers? Fortunately, weve found some worthy alternatives that wont keep you up at night.
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Whats Inside The Tuft And Needle Pillow
Tuft and Needle is well known for their true neutral-foam feel, which they achieve with their T& N adaptive foam. Most other brands tend to include a layer of memory foam, which doesnt give it a memory foam feel, but means that it doesnt have a true neutral-foam feel, either. Anyway, what were saying here is sometimes its difficult to find a true neutral-foam feel, so Tuft & Needle does a good job of standing out from the pack with their mattress, topper, and pillow.
The Tuft & Needle Pillow is made of the same T& N adaptive foam that the flagship mattress is made with. It feels dense, but is still responsive and soft. Its denser than your normal feather down pillow, but not as dense as a memory foam pillowits right in the middle. We wouldnt describe it as fluffy, though. Its pretty light, too, only about 4 lb for the standard size and 7 lb for the king size.
The cover it comes with is pretty nice. Its made of micro polyamide and polyester. Its white, soft, and machine washable, which makes it easy to keep things clean. To wash, remove the cover from the pillow and wash it in cold water with like colors. Dont bleach it, and hang to dry. If you wanted, you could even put another cotton or silk pillowcase on top of the provided pillow cover, so that it matches the rest of your sheet set.
Tuft And Needle Pillow Review
Whats a Certified Sleep Coach?
Certified Sleep Science Coaches are experts in helping people improve the quality of their sleep . Our team has tested over 200 mattresses since we began helping readers in 2017 and are certified by the Spencer Institute.
We strive to help you make smarter purchasing decisions. While we adhere to strict editorial integrity, this post may contain references to products from our partners. Heres an explanation for how we make money.
All sleeper types
Anyone who wants a foam pillow, but doesnt like memory foam
Those who already are loyal to the Tuft & Needle brand
Those who want standard and king size pillows
Those who want a memory foam or down feather pillow
College students who want the cheapest pillow on the market
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Why Trust Good Housekeeping
Lexie Sachs is the Executive Director of the Textiles, Paper & Apparel Lab at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Fiber Science from Cornell University and more than 15 years experience in the textiles industry, including merchandising and product development for home products. Lexie joined Good Housekeeping in 2013 and has extensively tested all types of beddingincluding mattresses, sheets, pillows, comforters and more using specialized lab equipment and with hundreds of testers.
Down Alternative And Down Pillow Faqs
Are down pillows hypoallergenic?
One of the most commonly cited issues with down pillows is that they arent hypoallergenic, which is technically true but isnt as big of a problem as it sounds. The vast majority of down pillows use down that has been sanitized and is effectively hypoallergenic. If youve noticed that down pillows have irritated your allergies in the past, it might actually be because down pillows last much longer than other pillows and dust mites may have settled into the fill. This can happen with any type of pillow fill, but it happens most to down pillows simply because they tend to spend more time in your home. But theres a relatively easy fix. Simply toss your pillow in the washing machine on a hot setting to take care of the dust mites and keep your allergies in check. Even if you have allergies, you should be completely fine to sleep on a down pillow.
Are there other pillow types to consider?
Is my pillow machine-washable?
Probably! Most pillows are machine-washable. Down, down alternative and latex pillows can and should be washed every now and again to reduce the buildup of dust mites. However, washing will ruin memory foam and buckwheat pillows. If you need to wash a memory foam or buckwheat pillow, try using water and a mild soap to spot clean it.
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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.
Most Comfortable Down Alternative Pillow
Casper Original Pillow
- Fill type: down alternative
The Casper Original Pillow is also a Healthline favorite. Its fluffy but still manages to provide support, cradling your head and neck.
Casper achieves this pillowy yet supportive feel by wrapping a pillow within a pillow. The inner pillow offers a touch of firmness, while the exterior layer is nice and soft. Seriously in our honest opinion if you could touch a cloud, it might feel like this pillow. Reviewers tend to agree.
Not sure if its right for you? Wed recommend it if youre a combo sleeper or tend to end up on your side or back. Thankfully, you dont have to gamble with your comfort. You can try out the Casper Original Pillow for 30 nights and return it if its not right for you.
- Fill type: foam
One study from 2014 suggests that an orthopedic pillow might be the best for improving sleep quality. The study followed only 20 participants, who tried the pillows for a short period of time. But the results showed that an orthopedic pillow was better at supporting the natural curve of the spine.
IKEAs popular ergonomic pillow has a slight curve to it, which helps support the neck and proper spinal alignment. If you find one side too high, you can flip it over to reveal a shorter height. The medium-firm foam is also a good fit for back and side sleepers.
We also noticed a bit of off-gassing from this pillow, so you may want to skip this one if that tends to bother you.
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What We Look For In A Pillow
We tested a wide range of pillows for our list, judging them on the following criteria:
- Feel: How comfortable is the pillow? Do we remain comfortable all night, or do we wake up with neck pain? Does it feel cool, or do we feel warm?
- Support: How supportive is the pillow? Do we wake up feeling sore? Do we feel comfortable in all positions? Do we sink into the pillow, or does it feel firm?
- Size: Does the pillow fit into a standard-size pillowcase? Does it have an odd shape?
Tuft And Needle Pillow Review Verdict
We really like the Tuft and Needle pillow. We think its difficult to find a completely neutral-foam feeling pillow like this on the market, and this one happens to be especially comfortable. We think itll be good for back, side, and combo sleepers, but possibly a little too lofty for stomach sleepers.
If you need extra help choosing the right pillow, head over to our how to choose a pillow page.
Review Team
McKenzie Dillon has been a member of the Slumber Yard team for two years and counting, and her resume includes hundreds of sleep-related articles from mattress review products to helpful blogs containing sleep tips, news, how-to guides, and more.
Unlike other review sites, the Slumber Yard team personally tests and assesses each sleep product on YouTube and our website through a series of practical, hands-on inspections and assessments, with utmost commitment to honesty and authenticity. Youll find our images and videos on every review, which is part of what makes the Slumber Yard the most trusted source of mattress and sleep accessory reviews on the internet.
In addition to reviewing beds, the Slumber Yard team also sources the best discounts and coupon codes you’ll ever find on mattresses and other bedding products. Click the link below to see the deals we’ve found today.
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Our Pillows Solve Pain
The Easy Breather Pillow is made with the best materials we can find. After all, how can you get a good night’s sleep when you don’t know what is inside your pillow?
For instance, we use a shredded CertiPUR-US® certified foam fill, which ensures that your pillow won’t be lumpy at all. The foam material molds to your head, which means it’ll be supportive yet soft at the same time and it’s adjustable. With some companies, they use foam material that has odd scents that come from it. You won’t have to worry about that with a Nest Bedding pillow. The CertiPUR-US® virgin foam has low to no scent and wont release harmful chemicals into your home. So you can rest comfortably and safely!
Parachute Home Down Pillow
When sleeping on your stomach, you must look for a thinner pillow that will not disrupt the curvature of the spine and will minimize any strain in the neck, says Dr. Okubadejo. Since your neck is tilted in this prone position and your face is turned if the pillow is too thick, it can cause tension. But the softness of this Parachute Home pillow will help promote a neutral alignment. Down and feather-filled, this machine-washable option will keep stomach sleepers comfortable throughout the night. FYI, heres how to wash pillows the right way.
via Nestbedding.com
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Down Vs Down Alternative Pillows: Key Similarities And Differences
The biggest similarity between down pillows and down alternative pillows is their softness. Both types of pillows are well-known for their soft, plush feel that is squeezable and shapeable, allowing for easy pillow fluffing. However, both types of pillows also come in a variety of firmness levels. The fill found in each pillow is incredibly soft, but both can be made into a firmer pillow by adding more fill. So if you like a nice, firm pillow, dont rule out down or down alternative pillows just yet.
The biggest difference between down pillows and down alternative pillows is obviously their fill. Down pillows are filled with down taken from waterfowl, like geese and ducks. While some might think that down is just another name for feathers, down is the soft, wispy stuff found underneath a birds plumage. This material makes for a great natural pillow fill. Down alternative fills, on the other hand, are made from synthetic materials rather than natural waterfowl down. Typically, the alternative fill is made from polyester microfiber, which is much higher quality than regular polyfill often found in very cheap pillows. To learn more about whats inside your pillow, check out Types of Pillow Stuffing.
Layla Kapok Memory Foam Pillow
- Blend of foam and soft fibers
- Good for multiple sleep positions
- Grey pattern may be visible under pillowcases
- Fill material: Memory foam/kapok blend
- Firmness level: Medium-plush
With comfort you have to feel to believe, this one is surprisingly plush yet still supportive thanks to its innovative blend of shredded memory foam with soft and fluffy kapok . The fill is also adjustable so it works with multiple sleep styles or for people who often change positions.
It easily bounced back to shape after we applied weights in our tests to mimic a head lying on it overnight. Just note that because the pillow uses a grey pattern on its outer cover, it may be visible under white pillowcases.
Tester notes: It earned the highest overall ratings from our consumer testers. They gave it perfect scores for comfort, support and overall satisfaction, plus they said it kept its shape and had them waking up without feeling sore. A tester highlighted how she was able to stop using two pillows by switching to this one, while another summarized, “I like the softness, how supportive it feels and how it is moldable.”
Best Pillow for Side Sleepers
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Pros And Cons Of A Down Pillow
Pros
- Compared to other types of pillow stuffing, down is a reliable, safe choice because its always soft, no matter which brand you buy.
- Down pillows are very durable and typically last anywhere from five to 10 years.
- The down fill used in these types of pillows is natural and biodegradable, so it doesnt have to end up in a landfill for 50 years after you throw away the pillow.
Cons
- Down pillows have a significantly higher cost than down alternative pillows.
- Unfortunately for hot sleepers, down pillows tend to retain more heat than down alternative pillows.
- The filling used in down pillows has to be taken from birds bred and raised for that purpose, which some people may find inhumane.
Plushbeds Solid Natural Latex Pillow
Latex has become a popular stuffing for a pillow because it conforms to the body and is also cooling. For those whose body temperatures go up at night or who battle night sweats, this PlushBeds pillow has excellent ventilation and airflow. The natural latex is springy, eliminating pressure points so your head can melt into the softness. It also helps with chronic pain, according to reviewers. No more counting sheep with this pillowyoull be in dreamland in no time.
via Leesa.com
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Beckham Hotel Collection Luxury Plush Gel Pillow
While this is our pick for allergy suffers, it could also be our top-rated pick. With more than 80,000 five-star reviews on Amazon, it gets the top pillow spot on the site. Its made from 100 percent organic cotton and no harmful chemicals, and its stuffed with a gel-filled fiber that suits all sleeping positions. Breathability and a cooling touch solidify this as a great all-around pillow. Just imagineyoull wake up in less pain and not sneezing, ready to tackle the dayand not complaining about your back.
via Tuftandneedle.com
