Down, Feather, and Alternative Pillows: How to Choose One

When you envision a pillow fight, down and feather pillows are what likely come to mind. These pillows as well as their alternative counterparts have made a name for themselves for being soft and fluffy. If we are being honest with ourselves, a soft, fluffy yet supportive pillow is something almost all of us long for.

Just like with any other pillow types, these pillows are not without their short comings. However, whether one derives satisfaction or not from these pillows is a highly subjective and personal matter.

There are numerous factors to be considered before you arrive at a suitable and functional pillow for your needs. This guide has, therefore, been put together to help guide you on how to successfully purchase the best down, feather, and alternative pillow for your needs.

It is likely that you will get confused when trying to figure out the difference between down and feather pillows. Aren’t they all filled with feathers anyway? In a sense they can be broadly categorized as feather pillows. A closer look however will give you a clear difference:

Down pillows make use of down clusters rather than feathers. Down clusters are derived from goose or duck plumage that is situated beneath the feathers of these birds. The cluster unlike the feather lacks a quill and thus is softer and fluffier.

Their supportive capabilities are comparable to those of feather pillows but they have been found to outlast the latter. Since they lack a quill, they do not degenerate. They are also easier to mold as needed.

Goose down clusters, like the feathers, are larger than their duck counterparts. Goose down pillows are, therefore, more sort after and more expensive than the duck downs.

The down side to these pillows is that they tend to lose their supportive abilities over time and will require you to fluff them ever so often in order to improve their support. Like the feather pillows, down pillows are not hypoallergenic; a feature that is often a deal breaker for people with sensitive respiratory systems.

Feather pillows make use of duck or goose feathers. These are preferred as pillow filler materials as they are soft and can easily be fluffed. The feathers used as pillow filling are usually derived either from the wings or tails of geese or ducks.

Goose feathers are larger and somewhat softer than duck feathers. Due to their larger size, these pillows also provide better support. It, therefore, comes as no surprise that people will prefer goose to duck feather pillows.

The down side to feather pillows is that not only do they lose their supportive capabilities with time, the quills of the feathers (the midrib if you will) tend to stick poke through the covers and might result in uncomfortable sleep. They also tend to lose their loft over time. This is due to the breaking of the quills as you wash and dry them. Another deal breaker for some people is the fact that the feathers can aggravate allergies making it rather difficult to breathe as they sleep.

Down alternative pillows are designed to provide the same softness that one gets from using a down or feather pillow only without the allergy and lack of supportiveness. To achieve this, instead of using feathers or own clusters, these pillows use a polyester micro fibre or ‘puff’ fibres. They are said to be hypoallergenic than their down and feather counterparts.

Since the filler material is not derived from actual birds, these pillows are likely to appeal to those who are sensitive to animal rights and needs as well as vegans. They are also more breathable than down and feather pillows and may therefore be suitable for use in hot weather.

They are also preferred over down and feather pillows due to their affordability in comparison to the latter. Down and feather pillows have, however, been found to outlast these pillows. They are viewed by some to be less on the eco-friendly side due to the reliance on petroleum for their production.

The choice between these pillows is a highly personal one. It is dependent not only on your purchasing power but on other personal tastes and preferences.

A common characteristic of all the above pillow types is the fact that they tend to lose their supportive capabilities over time. This coupled with the fact that they are initially designed with soft and fluffiness in mind, these pillows are likely to be unsuitable for people looking for pain relief in their pillows. They may, therefore, not be a good match for people suffering from chronic neck, shoulder and or back pains.

Despite the differences in filler material, there are some common factors to look out for when purchasing either a down, feather or a down alternative pillow.

Down pillows are hailed for their comfort. Do a quick internet search on the best down pillows on the market today and you are bound to be met with an unfathomable number of options. Different manufacturers all claim to have the best product in the market. This short review of five of the best rated down pillows is an attempt to reduce the confusion you are likely to face when looking to purchase the best down pillow.

Down pillows, feather pillows and their respective down and feather blends are renowned for their comfortable yet supportive capabilities. These pillows are, however, considered by some to be rather pricey and thus their comfort may seem out of reach.

To remedy this, manufacturers in the pillow industry have come up with down alternative pillows. These provide an equal amount of comfort at a much more pocket friendly price tag.

The choice between these three types of pillows will largely depend on individual needs. Down alternatives have been found to be compatible with people who suffer respiratory issues due to their hypoallergenic properties.

There are, however, a number of considerations that need to be made before purchasing any of these pillow. We hope the tips provided in this guide prove useful in finding the best down, feather, down-feather, and, or, down alternative pillow for you. If you are looking for more options, check our guide to best pillows.