Bedding & Bath Product Reviews | Home Products | Shopping

The 7 Best Down Pillows of 2024, Tested and Reviewed

ByWade 2023年7月1日

When it comes to creating your ideal bed, you can’t go wrong with a down pillow. Down refers to the insulating feathers found on the chest and underbelly of a duck or goose, and down pillows are known for their fluffy feel and lighter weight. They’re also naturally breathable, unlike down alternative pillows, so they’re a good option for hot sleepers.

They are an investment though, and tend to be more expensive than down alternative and even foam pillows. That’s why we put 19 down pillows to the test in our lab and in our homes for a span of six months, keeping in mind that each person has their own unique pillow preference. We evaluated the quality, airflow, comfort, durability, and value of each down pillow, plus consulted two experts for their advice on shopping for down pillows: Alex Dimitriu, MD, of Menlo Park Psychiatry and Sleep Medicine, and Amy Hoban, chief creative officer at Parachute.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall Down Pillow:

Kassatex European Down Pillow at Kassatex.com

Best Splurge Down Pillow:

Down & Feather Co. Natural Nights Down Pillow at Amazon
$329

Best Firm Down Pillow:

IKEA Gulkavle Pillow at Ikea
$70

Best Soft Down Pillow:

Helix Down & Feather Pillow at Helix
$95

Most Breathable Down Pillow:

Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillow at Amazon
$199

Best Down Pillow for Back Sleepers:

SALE

Puredown Natural Goose Down Feather Bed Pillow at Amazon
~~$62~~
$41

Best Down Pillow for Side Sleepers:

L.L.Bean Goose Down Pillow at L.L.Bean
$249

Best Overall Down Pillow

Kassatex European Down Pillow

Kassatex European White Goose Down Pillows

PHOTO: Kassatex

View on Kassatex.com

What Stands Out

The pillow strikes the perfect balance between plush yet structured.

What Could Be Improved

You'll have to be careful when laundering.

Goose down is known to be lighter and fluffier than duck down, which makes the Kassatex European White Goose Down Pillow a cut above other pillows we tested in terms of luxury and comfort. We were impressed by its marshmallow-like quality and durability, and we found it to be the best of both the down and non-down worlds. The pillow felt comfortable to sleep on through the entire night and had good airflow, as well. Out of all the pillows we tested, this one had the highest loft at 8 inches.

After sleeping on the pillow for three months, we found that it kept its shape quite well over time, evidenced by the fact that it continued to entirely fill the pillowcase. We appreciated that we never had to fluff it or flip it over, even while making our bed in the morning. And while we were using the soft version, it was still supportive, held its shape, and lived up to the brand’s advertisement of being “an extremely full pillow.” Once we washed the pillow at the six-month mark though, we did notice that it lost a bit of its fluffiness that we had initially raved about. It was not flat by any means, just shaped a bit differently.

There is another small drawback: This pillow is filled with darker feathers, which can be seen through the pillow’s lining, so you’ll have to get a pillowcase to go on top. However, this first-rate pillow is worth it. It’s plush, structured, and maintains the look and feel of a traditional down pillow. It’s machine-washable, making it easy to care for, and it has a 60-day risk-free trial so you can be sure it’s the ideal pillow for you.

Firmness: Soft, medium, firm | Fill Power: 650 | Fill: European white goose down | Cover: Cotton | Care: Machine wash delicate, tumble dry low | Certifications: RDS | Return Policy: 60 days

PHOTO: Wade Review / Kaya Abrahamson
PHOTO: Wade Review / Rachel Marek
PHOTO: Wade Review / Kaya Abrahamson