Best Down Pillows (2025): Tested and Reviewed by Certified Sleep Science Coaches

When selecting the best overall down pillow, I looked for one with a classic plush yet compressible feel that’s comparable to a luxurious hotel pillow. Additionally, it needed to have high-quality, durable materials that won’t flatten over time and are supportive in multiple sleeping positions. The Helix Down & Feather pillow ranks highest on this list, not only because it earned 5 stars for its materials and price, but because it’s compatible with multiple sleep styles, earning 5 stars for experience.

While the Helix Down & Feather pillow is not marketed as a luxury product, the materials certainly feel luxurious. The outer cover is made from soft cotton and contains German piping along the edges, which is a reinforced double-stitch edge. When I assessed this pillow, I thought the stitching seemed super solid, with no noticeable loose threads or holes that could cause the filling to fall out.

The Helix is a three-chamber pillow, with the inner chamber containing a feather and down blend, and the outer chambers filled with white down. According to Helix, the inclusion of feathers in the core helps prevent the down clusters from clumping over time. Additionally, this pillow is Responsible Down Standard certified, which verifies the humane treatment of the birds, including the prohibition of live-plucking. Since these materials are ethical, pure, and durable, I rated the materials 5 stars.

When I actually slept on this down pillow, I was immediately taken back to all the times I’ve stayed in a hotel. It has the classic fluffy yet lightweight feel of a hotel pillow that’s able to be compressed and molded into the perfect position. The soft, plush construction made my head feel weightless, like it was resting on a cloud. However, it was still able to provide proper lift and support in all three sleeping positions. As a combination sleeper myself, I was able to get comfortable regardless of whether I was on my side, back, or stomach, so I rated the experience 5 stars. 

Since this pillow is so soft, it doesn’t scratch or irritate the face. But, I would still recommend adding a pillowcase or pillow protector to ward off stains and allergens. The Helix pillow earned 4 stars in the care category because it’s spot clean only, not machine washable. The care instructions are listed both on the pillow’s tag and on the information card that comes in the package. 

Keep in mind, Helix offers a 30-night trial and a 1-year warranty for this pillow. While these are decent policies provided by Helix, some other brands on this list offer longer sleep trial periods and warranties.

Down pillows are typically known for being soft and snuggly, but they can sometimes flatten over time. For a soft down pillow that maintains its structural integrity over time, I recommend the Parachute Home Down Side Sleeper pillow. Filled with European white down, this pillow is luxuriously soft, earning 4.5 stars for its materials. Yet, it’s high loft and tall sides make it durable enough to provide excellent support, earning 5 stars for experience. 

When our expert tester, Sosha Lewis, tried the Parachute pillow, she was impressed by the quality of the materials. On the 100 percent sateen cotton cover, she said, “It’s sturdy yet soft, and the stitching seems like it would last during intense pillow fights.” 

Inside, the pillow contains European white down consisting of 85 percent down clusters and 15 percent down and feather fibers, which have the fluffy and plush quality typically associated with this material. The entire pillow is also OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 certified and Responsible Down Standard certified, so Sosha rated the materials 4.5 stars. 

As Sosha assessed the pillow, she was intrigued by its unique rectangular shape that features tall 3.5-inch sides. While it has a high loft, it’s not firm by any means. Its soft materials cradled Sosha’s head comfortably, while the tall sides ensured that her neck was still slightly lifted and supported. She said, “I was a little unsure about the square sides, however, it fit in a standard pillowcase with ease. Once I slept on it, I wouldn’t have cared had it been in the shape of an octagon; it’s just fantastic.”

Parachute markets this pillow as best for side sleepers, which Sosha agreed with. In this position, her head was lifted in line with her shoulders, promoting good neck support and spinal alignment. “I look forward to going to bed with this pillow every night,” she raved. “If my husband’s snoring makes me take shelter in the guest room, I make sure to take that pillow with me.” 

When it’s time to wash the pillow, you can simply throw it in the washing machine on a cold, delicate cycle. We rated the easy care process 4.5 stars. Since down can be known for clumping, Parachute recommends tumble drying on low with wool dryer balls, which can help redistribute the fill.

Before you purchase this pillow, keep your sleeping position in mind. While we love this pillow for side sleepers or back sleepers who prefer a higher loft, it’s not a great match for stomach sleepers. We recommend these sleepers seek a lower-lofted, more compressible pillow to prevent the neck from craning upwards.

Some sleepers have a strong preference for goose down over duck down, as geese typically produce larger, fluffier clusters that tend to be highly durable. If you want the best goose down pillow on the market, I recommend the Quince Luxe Goose Down pillow. Not only did this pillow earn 5 stars for its ethically sourced down material, but it also earned 5 stars for its easy cleaning process. Additionally, this pillow is a great match for a multitude of sleepers, earning 4.5 stars for experience.

Our expert tester, Sosha Lewis, evaluated the Quince pillow and thought the cotton sateen cover was “soft and silky feeling while also seeming very durable.” Although some down pillows have feathers sticking out, she appreciated that the high-quality construction kept them contained. Because this pillow is made from European white goose down, it doesn’t show through the white cover like some duck down pillows. Sosha rated the materials 5 stars overall, noting that the pillow is also Responsible Down Standard certified.

When it comes to the feel of the Quince pillow, it’s actually up to the sleeper. Offered in three firmness levels — Soft/Medium, Medium/Firm, or Firm/Extra Firm — you can choose the feel you most prefer. Sosha tested the Medium/Firm model and said, “It has a higher loft and is firmer than I thought it would be. It doesn’t have much give.” If you prefer to sink in more, you may prefer the softest model. Overall, Sosha rated her experience 4.5 stars because if you choose the right firmness level for your sleeping position, its luxurious feel has the potential to become your new favorite pillow.

When faced with multiple firmness options, Dr. Dasgupta says your preferred sleeping position can help you make your decision. For pillows like the Quince, he says, “Down pillows are great for stomach sleepers because they’re soft and easy to squish into whatever shape you need. Back sleepers might also like them, as long as the pillow isn’t too flat, so medium-firmness is ideal. If you’re a side sleeper, you’ll probably need something a little firmer to keep your neck aligned.”

Regardless of which firmness level you choose, you can benefit from Quince’s 5-star care process. According to the manufacturer, this pillow is machine washable on a cold, gentle cycle using mild detergents. Then, tumble dry on the lowest heat setting.

Keep in mind, the Quince Luxe Goose Down pillow is not exactly a bargain buy, as the ethically sourced down costs more. At full retail, a standard pillow in the Medium/Firm model costs $140. The softer model is cheaper, costing $120, but the firmer model is more expensive, coming in at  $180.  

While down is known for being a soft and plush material, the firmness of down pillows can vary based on their fill power, which measures how fluffy and lofted the pillow is. If you love the feel of down but prefer a firm pillow, I recommend the Avocado Down Pillow in the Firm option. While it’s also offered in Soft and Medium models, the Firm pillow is stuffed to be firm and supportive, while still allowing some slight cradling. With a price and materials that earned 4 stars, this pillow is a solid choice for back and side sleepers.

As a brand, Avocado is known for being eco-forward, even committing to the 1 percent for the Planet movement. So, we weren’t surprised that this pillow has multiple third-party certifications that verify its quality, sustainability, and safety, such as the Climate Label, DOWNMARK, Responsible Down Standard, and OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100. 

When our tester Livvi DiCicco tested these materials, she thought they felt solid. She said, “It’s generously stuffed, and the filling doesn’t feel flimsy or spaced out.” While everything was high-quality, she was turned off by its cover, which Avocado says is 100 percent cotton sateen weave. “It has a weird, crinkly texture that feels almost plasticy, which I’m not a fan of, but perhaps I just don’t care for the sateen feel,” she said, rating the materials 4 stars overall. Regardless, adding a pillowcase you love can solve this problem.

With high-quality materials can come a high price tag, but the Avocado pillow is priced reasonably, with the firm model costing $139 at full retail. While this may be more than you’re willing to spend on a typical pillow, down is more difficult and expensive to source, thus driving up the price. Some down pillows can cost more than $300, so we think this price is fair, rating it 4 stars.

As a stomach sleeper, Livvi typically doesn’t sleep with firm, high-lofted pillows like this one, since soft, low-profile pillows are usually best for this sleeping position. Although she rated her personal experience with the Avocado pillow 3 stars, she thinks it could be a match for back sleepers. Despite its initial firm feel, the down is pretty airy, allowing for a bit of give. This can feel really nice for back sleepers seeking a high loft that still offers some sinkage. 

Before purchasing this pillow, keep in mind that it’s not easy to clean — spot-clean only. You won’t be able to simply throw it in the wash if it gets dirty, so we rated its care process 3.5 stars.

Since down comes directly from a bird’s underbelly, it’s not a vegan material. If you love the feel of down but prefer a vegan option, a synthetic down-alternative material can mimic the soft texture. When it comes to this option, I think the Saatva Down Alternative pillow is one of the best choices out there. Offered in two lofts – standard and high – you can customize the feel, and our expert tester, Melanie Kassel, rated her overall experience with the high loft model 5 stars. Most importantly, it feels nearly identical to traditional down, which helped it secure a spot on this roundup.

Some sleepers also opt for a down-alternative pillow because they’re allergic to real down. Instead, the Saatva is filled with hypoallergenic microdenier down alternative fibers, which create small air pockets that mimic down clusters. Closer to the center of the pillow is a springy down alternative fiber, which offers more support. When assessing the pillow, our expert tester Melanie thought the artificial down felt just like the real deal, saying, “It’s soft, cushiony, and pliable, but not too plush.”

During checkout, Melanie opted for the high-loft model of the Saatva pillow, which is roughly 6 to 7 inches tall. She loved having a ton of down alternative filling to hug and squish throughout the night, finding it “sumptuous and cozy.” For this loft level, she thinks side sleepers are the ideal candidates. “Both my partner and I enjoyed the pillow most in this position,” she said. “Its high loft does a great job keeping the head and neck in good alignment with the rest of the spine.”

Additionally, Melanie thinks this pillow could be great for anyone who prefers a soft and squishy pillow. But for stomach sleepers, we think the standard loft is a better choice. This loft is around 4 to 5 inches high, so it’s less likely to crane the neck upwards. 

While there was a lot to love about the Saatva Down Alternative pillow, Melanie noticed some carelessness in construction, including some loose threads around the edges and a small rip near the tag where some filaments of filling fell out. When the pillow was in a pillowcase, the tear wasn’t noticeable and didn’t impact the pillow’s performance, but the defect knocked the materials score down to 3 stars.