Feather pillows are distinct from down pillows because they contain either all feathers or a combination of feathers and down. People who love feather pillows seek them out for their distinct feel, which is generally more structured and moldable than pure down.
In the market for new feather pillows? Then you’ll want to think about whether you prefer a flat or overstuffed pillow, whether you like your pillow soft or firm, your priorities when it comes to ethical sourcing, your preferences when it comes to ease of care, and your budget. Then check out our roundup of best feather pillows to get started on your search.
Editor’s Choice
downluxe Goose Feather Down Pillows
Pros:
- You can choose from a gusseted or non-gusseted option. Both options come with a piped edge that adds some elegance to the look.
- The shell is made from 100% cotton and filled with goose feathers. The double-layered fabric helps protect against feather pricks.
- The pillow is machine-washable and dryer-friendly, so it’s easy to care for at home.
- The pillow is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified and Responsible Down Standard certified.
Cons:
- The pillows are well-stuffed, which creates a firmer feel. This won’t be everyone’s cup of tea.
- The pillows might arrive with an odor that takes some time to off-gas.
An elegant look and responsible sourcing and manufacturing practices earn the downluxe Goose Feather Down Pillows the title of Editor’s Choice. The pillow is machine-washable and dryer-friendly, so it’s easy to care for.
Contender
East Coast Bedding Luxury Goose Feather & Down Filled Pillows
Pros:
- The pillow is filled with 85% goose feathers and 15% goose down. It’s wrapped in a 300 thread count, 100% cotton shell.
- The pillow is pretty “moldable,” so you can shape it to your preferences.
- If you’d like to plump up your pillow, you can contact the seller for additional feathers.
- The pillow is made in the USA and Responsible Down Standard certified.
Cons:
- The pillow is pretty pricey and won’t be accessible to all budgets.
- It’s prone to leaking feathers, which can be uncomfortable and a hassle.
The East Coast Bedding Luxury Goose Feather & Down Filled Pillows are made in the USA and Responsible Down Standard Certified. They’re shapeable and filled with 85% goose feathers and 15% goose down.
Runner Up
puredown Natural Goose Feather White Pillow Inserts
Pros:
- The pillows come in a two-pack, so you get two for a relatively budget-friendly price.
- The pillows have a 100% cotton shell, and they’re filled with 85% goose feather and 15% goose down.
- The pillows are Responsible Down Standard certified, which means they meet certain ethical sourcing guidelines.
- The cotton shell has two layers, and there are interior polyester layers beneath the cotton layers. This helps protect against feathers poking through the fabric.
Cons:
- The pillows are fairly soft and flat. This will appeal to some people and not others.
- The pillows arrive vacuum-packed, which means you’ll need to give them 24 hours or more to expand before use. It might also take a day or two for odors to dissipate.
The Responsible Down Standard certified puredown Natural Goose Feather White Pillow Inserts feature multiple layers of shell to help protect against feather leaks. The pillows are filled with 85% goose feather and 15% goose down.
Best Duck Feather
JA COMFORTS Duck Feather and Down Bed Pillows
Pros:
- This is a very budget-friendly feather pillow.
- The shell is 100% cotton, and it has double-line stitching to help prevent feather leaks. There are also multiple internal layers of polyester to further protect against pricks.
- The fill is 95% grey duck feather and 5% grey duck down, so this will appeal to folks who are partial to duck feather.
- The pillow is machine-washable and dryer-friendly, so it’s easy to care for at home.
Cons:
- The pillow is on the flatter side and isn’t particularly well-stuffed.
- Some users have reported that the pillow might come with a slight odor.
Fans of duck feathers will appreciate the JA COMFORTS Duck Feather and Down Bed Pillows, which are sold both individually and in packs of two. The budget-friendly pillows are filled with 95% grey duck feather and 5% grey duck down.
Most Fill Choices
WENERSI Premium Goose Down Pillows with Feather
Pros:
- The pillows come in a two-pack. They’re made from a 100% cotton shell and stuffed with blended 85% goose feather and 15% white goose down.
- The shell has a silver piped edge that adds a touch of elegance to the pillows’ overall look.
- You can choose from a soft or firm pillow, so you can customize the feel to your preferences.
- The fabric is double-layered to help protect against feather pricks.
Cons:
- While the pillows come in a two-pack (which makes them more cost-effective), they’re still on the pricier side.
- The pillows tend to go flat pretty quickly, so you’ll need to fluff them on a regular basis.
Choose from a soft or firm option to customize the WENERSI Premium Goose Down Pillows with Feather to your sleeping preferences. The pillows come in a two-pack and have a silver piped edge to add a bit of elegance.
Best Bargain
L LOVSOUL Feather Pillow
Pros:
- You get two pillows for less than the price of many single feather pillows.
- The cover is made from 1,000 thread count, 100% Egyptian cotton.
- The pillow has a multi-chamber design in which the outer chamber is filled with 3D Pearl Fiber, and the inner chamber is filled with goose feather. This helps maintain a soft feeling overall.
- The pillows are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which means they meet certain safety and environmental regulations.
Cons:
- The pillows are well-stuffed and on the firmer side. This will appeal to some people but won’t suit people who are looking for a softer pillow.
- Because it’s firm, the pillow isn’t very easily “moldable.”
Get two feather pillows for a budget-friendly price with the L LOVSOUL Feather Pillow. The pillows are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, which means they meet certain safety and environmental standards.
How We Picked
There’s a lot to think about when you’re searching for the best feather pillows. Here are the factors that we prioritized most during our search.
Cost
Feather pillows can range widely in price from around $20 to over $80 for one pillow. That’s a big range, so we made sure to include pillows from both sides of the spectrum (and in between) so you can find an option that works with your budget.
Ease of Care
If you’re using a pillowcase over your feather pillow (which we recommend), then you probably won’t need to wash the pillow itself very often. But if you are prone to washing your pillows for any reason, then you’ll probably want to look for one that’s washer- and dryer-friendly. We included a few of those options on this list.
Feel
Feel is a matter of personal preference, so we included pillows with a variety of feels. Some of them are over-stuffed, some of them are under-stuffed, some of them are soft, some of them are firm, and so on. Choose according to your own preference.
Protection from Feather Pricks
One potential downside of feather pillows is that the feathers sometimes poke through, which can cause discomfort and even interrupt sleep. So we prioritized options that have taken this into account and feature designs that minimize the risk of pricks.
Sourcing
The feather and down industry as a whole isn’t known for ethical practices, but the tides are starting to turn. Whenever possible, we prioritized options that are Responsible Down Standard certified. We also welcomed options that met safety and environmental standards such as OEKO-TEX Standard 100.
Sleepopolis Buying Tips
Ready to go all-in on a new feather pillow? Find the best one for your needs by considering the following:
- What are your feel preferences? Do you want a flat pillow, or an overstuffed one? Do you like your pillow soft or firm?
- Duck versus goose? Do you have strong feelings about duck versus goose feathers? There are more options with goose feathers and fewer with duck, so this can be a quick way to rule out some options. While you’re at it, think about whether you want to prioritize responsibly sourced options.
- What’s your budget? Feather pillows can range pretty widely in price, so clarifying your budget can help you narrow down your choices.
For fans of feather pillows, finding the right one can mean the difference between mediocre and exceptional sleep. To find the best feather pillow for you, consider your feel preferences, materials preferences, and budget. Then prepare for a feathery night’s sleep!
