Best Down Alternative Pillows: 8 Comfortable Options for Any Sleep Style

There’s nothing more personal or comforting than finding the best pillow. If you’ve ever shopped around to find this bedroom staple, you know it can get overwhelming with so many choices. For instance, do you want one filled with feathers (down) or a down-alternative, such as a pillow made of polyfill or gel fiber? Feather pillows can feel fabulous, but many people are either allergic to down, prefer not to purchase a product sourced with feathers, or want something more supportive than down. Here, a list of our favorite down alternative pillows based on personal testing and extensive research, so you can quickly find your perfect feather-free pillow.

Our top picks for down alternative pillows

How we selected the best down alternative pillows

Selecting the best down alternative pillows involved a combination of testing and research. Not only did I personally test many of the brands added to the top picks, but I reviewed several products online for comparison, and poured through customer reviews to find common themes with each product.

How to choose the best down alternative pillow

Material

The material selection (what’s both on the inside and outside of the pillow) is one of the most critical elements. Starting with the outside, look for a soft, breathable material, such as cotton. This not only adds comfort, but can keep your pillow from getting too hot.

It may be tempting to purchase a pillow filled with lower quality materials (such as cotton and polyfill) on the inside because it typically makes them less expensive. However, by investing in a premium material such as memory foam, microfiber, or gel fiber, you may be able to get a longer life out of your pillow along with a greater amount of head and neck support. To know more about the differences, read our guide to types of pillows.

Allergens

You may assume a down alternative pillow is allergy-friendly, but it’s essential you verify the contents of the pillow to make sure it’s not made with allergy-inducing materials. You can also look for machine-washable pillows which can help keep allergens to a minimum.

Loft

Loft refers to how high the pillow is, which is an important factor depending on your sleep position. If you’re a back or side sleeper, then look for pillows with a higher loft. However if you’re a stomach sleeper, you’ll need a lower loft so it doesn’t interfere with breathing.

Firmness

Not only is the firmness of your pillow a personal preference but the right firmness level also depends on your sleep position. Side sleepers may prefer higher firmness while stomach sleepers may need a softer level, while back sleepers can benefit from something in-between.

What's the difference between down and down alternatives?

Down refers to a pillow made with down feathers, which come from the underside (or protective layer) of waterfowl, such as goose and duck. Many sleepers prefer down pillows because they’re lightweight, airy, and last for years.

Down alternatives offer another option for anyone who suffers from a respiratory illness or an allergy to down. Down alternative pillows can be filled with a variety of synthetic materials, including polyfill or microfibers.

Who is best suited to a down alternative pillow?

Naturally, anyone who is allergic to feathers will need to look for a down alternative pillow if they want to avoid a potential irritation. However, if you’re a hot sleeper, you may prefer a down alternative pillow even if you don’t suffer from allergies, as these pillows are often cooler and more breathable.

Which down alternative pillow sizes are available?

You can find down alternative pillow sizes in virtually any shape and size, from small square accent pillows to the larger king size.

Frequently asked questions (FAQs)

Are down alternative pillows any good?

You can find numerous down alternative pillows that offer an everyday solution for sleeping compared to down or down-feather pillows. With proper care and maintenance, a quality down alternative pillow can last for years.

What does down alternative mean in pillows?

Down alternative simply means it’s a pillow filled with a material other than down or down feathers. Down alternative is a broad category and includes pillows filled with polyfill, gel fiber, microfiber, or other non-feather materials.

What are the disadvantages of down alternative pillow?

While down alternative pillows offer many benefits, they require much more filling to make it loftier, which means the pillow can stay hotter. Some alternative filing isn’t as durable compared to down, so you may not get as many years of use out of them.

Can you wash down alternative pillows?

You can purchase machine-washable down alternative pillows. Not all pillows are washable, so be sure to check the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions. For general advice, read our guide to how to wash pillows—and how often to replace pillows.

Are down alternative pillows eco-friendly?

Not all down alternative pillows are eco-friendly, since some are made with synthetic fibers like polyester. However, you can look for pillows made with eco-friendly materials, such as those made from recycled plastic bottles.