Down pillows are a traditional style of bed pillow known for their plush, cloud-like softness. In this review, I’ll be covering a classic pillow from a modern brand: the Brooklinen Down pillow.
You may know Brooklinen from their “Internet famous” sheet sets, but they make a wide variety of other products. Brooklinen’s pillow is made with Canadian down and is available in three different firmness levels — I tested the Mid-Plush for this review. How does it feel and will it work for different sleeping positions? Keep on reading to find out.
Or, you can always skip to the end for my review summary.
The Brooklinen Down pillow is available in three firmness levels, making it versatile for a variety of sleepers.
Brooklinen Down Pillow
Sleepopolis Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full Review
Is the Brooklinen Down Pillow a Good Pillow for You?
Will the Brooklinen Down pillow be a good fit for you? Different types of sleepers need different types of pillows, so here are my quick recommendations.
Who should try the Brooklinen Down pillow
- Every sleeping position — stomach, back, and side — should be comfortable on this pillow, depending on the firmness level they choose.
- Sleepers who love an ultra-soft, plush feel from their pillow will revel in this down pillow.
- Sleepers who like a moldable pillow will appreciate how you can shape the down fill in this pillow any way you like.
Who should not try the Brooklinen Down pillow
- Sleepers who are looking for a firm, ultra-supportive pillow might not get what they’re looking for from this pillow. I’d recommend a memory foam pillow or latex pillow instead.
- Shoppers looking for an adjustable pillow should consider another pillow. While there are three different firmnesses available, you can’t customize or alter this pillow.
- Shoppers with allergies might want to avoid a pillow made with down feathers and instead choose something hypoallergenic. Additionally, shoppers who are vegan or don’t want animal products should consider another pillow, since down is an animal product.
What Does the Brooklinen Down Pillow Feel Like?
I personally tested the Mid-Plush Brooklinen Down pillow for this review to get a sense of the feel. I’ll primarily be discussing that firmness level in this section.
Brooklinen Down Pillow Firmness
For each sleeping position, I generally recommend a different firmness of pillow to ensure proper support and spinal alignment. Stomach sleepers are best with a soft pillow, back sleepers are best with a medium pillow, and side sleepers are best with a firm pillow.
I thought the Mid-Plush pillow had a medium-soft feel. The down was very plush and easy to sink into for an overall very cushy feel. However, I did still feel some support from the inner core of features, which kept my head more elevated than other pure-down pillows I’ve tested previously. Still, it was not supportive enough for me to consider the pillow to have a truly medium firmness.
Again, the Brooklinen Down pillow comes in a Plush version, which is even softer than the Mid-Plush one I tested, and a Firm version, which is even firmer.
Brooklinen Down Pillow Loft
Like firmness, each sleeping position is best suited to a different loft, or height, of pillow. Stomach sleepers are best with a low loft, back sleepers with a medium loft, and side sleepers with a high loft to ensure proper support and alignment.
The Brooklinen Down Mid-Plush pillow has a medium loft, but keep in mind that the down fill compresses a good amount beneath your head and neck. With the Mid-Plush version, the inner core of feathers works to keep your head from sinking all the way through the pillow.
Now, let’s go over my experience sleeping on this pillow in different sleeping positions.
Side — I didn’t think the Mid-Plush down pillow was firm or supportive enough for me while lying on my side, but I think the Firm version would work nicely for many side sleepers. However, if you are tall/have broader shoulders or are struggling with neck pain, you may prefer a firmer, more supportive pillow than a down pillow. If that’s you, check out our best pillows for side sleepers.
Back — I thought the Mid-Plush down pillow was quite comfortable for back sleeping. My head and neck sank into the down feather layer for a plush, cloud-like feel, but the inner core provided enough neck support.
Stomach — Down and feather pillows are great for stomach sleepers, as they are often soft and compress down to be quite thin. I did find the Mid-Plush version a bit too lofty for stomach sleeping, but I think the Plush version — which has no inner core, only down clusters — would be perfect for a stomach sleeper.
Under the Arm — I think the Brooklinen Down pillow could work well as a pillow under the arms. It’s quite soft and plushy, making it nice to hug. The Mid-Plush was comfortable in this position and I imagine the Firm would work, as well. The Plush might be a bit too soft.
Between the Legs — I also think the Brooklinen Down pillow is a good option for putting between the legs to sleep, as it will provide nice pressure relief on the legs. The Mid-Plush worked pretty well, but I actually think the Plush would probably be best.
The Brooklinen Down pillow is available in three firmness levels, making it versatile for a variety of sleepers.
Brooklinen Down Pillow
Sleepopolis Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full Review
What is the Brooklinen Down Pillow Made Of?
Cover: The cover of the Brooklinen Down pillow is 100 percent cotton sateen. Sateen is a style of weave that creates a smooth, satin-like texture.
Fill: The Brooklinen Down pillow comes in three different firmness options, each one with a slightly different fill structure.
- The Plush version is filled with Canadian down clusters only.
- The Mid-Plush and Firm pillows have a dual-core build, with a supportive inner layer of feathers and the fluffy outer layer of down.
- The Firm version has a higher ratio of feathers to down clusters compared to the Mid-Plush version, making it more firm and supportive.
Wondering what the difference between down clusters and feathers is? Down is the soft, fluffy, and spineless feathers that are under the tough outer feathers on a bird. Many young birds are covered entirely in down. Down is much softer, plusher, and more insulating than normal feathers.
Down and feathers could be a potential cause for concern if you have allergies, but this pillow has been treated with antimicrobials to reduce allergens. To learn more about down, see our best down pillows roundup.
Additionally, the Brooklinen Down pillow is available in either a standard or king size. I tested the Mid-Plush standard size for this review.
Is the Brooklinen Down Pillow Good for Hot Sleepers?
Down is a great insulating material, which is why it’s commonly used in products like sleeping bags, jackets, and duvets. However, that does mean it can retain heat. Personally, I didn’t find this pillow to be as heat-trapping as memory foam pillows can be (which are notorious for trapping heat), but it definitely isn’t cool to the touch. One pro of down is it is breathable, so while it may retain some heat, the air can still flow within the pillow.
For more cooling pillow options, check out our best cooling pillows.
Brooklinen Down Pillow Sizes and Prices
Wondering how much this pillow costs? Here’s a breakdown of prices, by size and firmness.
Price listed will be before discount or offer for each size. Click one of the coupons throughout this article to get our best price.
| Firmness Level | Size | Dimensions | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plush | Standard | 20” x 26” | $109 |
| Plush | King | 20” x 36” | $129 |
| Mid-Plush | Standard | 20” x 26” | $79 |
| Mid-Plush | King | 20” x 36” | $99 |
| Firm | Standard | 20” x 26” | $89 |
| Firm | King | 20” x 36” | $109 |
The Brooklinen Down pillow is available in three firmness levels, making it versatile for a variety of sleepers.
Brooklinen Down Pillow
Sleepopolis Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full Review
My Final Thoughts About the Brooklinen Down Pillow
The Brooklinen Down pillow is a great option for anyone looking for a high-quality, classic down pillow that’s fluffy, moldable, and cloud-like. Laying your head on this pillow feels like laying on a giant marshmallow in the best way possible. I appreciate that Brooklinen has created three different firmness levels, making this pillow work for every sleeping position.
I also appreciate how relatively affordable this pillow is. Down is a more expensive material than synthetic down-alternatives, such as polyester fibers, but Brooklinen has kept the price fairly low.
For sleepers who are looking for a really firm, super supportive pillow, the Brooklinen Down pillow probably won’t be the best fit — even in the firm version. While they can offer some support, down and feathers are not nearly as supportive as a memory foam or latex pillow. It’s also not a particularly good cooling pillow, as the down acts as an insulator, but it’s not noticeably too warm.
Brooklinen Down Pillow Policies and FAQs
How does the Brooklinen Down pillow ship?
Brooklinen ships for free within the United States. They also ship internationally to a number of countries for an additional fee.
Does the Brooklinen Down pillow come with a sleep trial?
Yes, Brooklinen’s return policy states that you can return this pillow within 365 days of purchase. Brooklinen covers shipping fees for domestic returns and they will provide a full refund.
Does the Brooklinen Down pillow come with a warranty?
Yes, the Brooklinen Down pillow comes with a 1-year extended warranty.
Is the Brooklinen Down pillow machine washable?
No, Brooklinen recommends only spot cleaning this pillow or dry cleaning if needed.
Should I use a pillowcase with the Brooklinen Down pillow?
While the cotton shell of this pillow is quite soft and comfortable, I would recommend using a pillowcase with the Brooklinen Down pillow, since it does not have a removable cover nor is the pillow machine washable.
Brooklinen Down Pillow Vs
Now let’s compare the Brooklinen Down pillow to a down-alternative pillow, the Original Casper pillow.
Brooklinen Down Pillow vs Original Casper Pillow
- The Casper pillow has a pillow-within-a-pillow design, with a 100 percent cotton cover, polyester inner pillow cover, and polyester microfiber fill for both the inner and outer pillow.
- The Casper pillow comes in two different loft options and is comfortable for both side and back sleepers.
- It’s also designed to be breathable and moisture-wicking, so the Casper pillow is a good option for hot sleepers.
- Read our full Casper pillow review to learn more.
Sleepers can enjoy Casper's pillow-in-a-pillow design in order to customize the loft and feel!
Casper Original Pillow
Sleepopolis Score
4.50 / 5
Read Full Review
Other Products from Brooklinen
Finally, here’s my star ratings for the Brooklinen Down pillow.
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Materials
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Comfort
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Value
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Cooling
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Durability
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Trial
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Warranty
