Enjoy hotel luxury every night with soft and fluffy pillows.
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Upgrading your bed with luxe down pillows can make you feel like you're sleeping at a five-star hotel every night. There are so many types of top-tested pillows to choose from, including memory foam pillows, down alternative pillows and even latex pillows, but there’s nothing more plush than traditional down. To find the best of the best, the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab put over 175 pillows to the test in the Lab and with consumer testers, including pillows from top brands like Parachute, Brooklinen, Boll & Branch and Casper.
What is the best down pillow? The Parachute Down Pillow is our top-tested down pillow. It performed great in Lab tests and was popular among testers too. It's ideal for all sleepers since it's available in soft, medium and firm firmness levels and a side sleeper version too. For a more affordable option, the FluffCo Down Pillow costs $100, so it's a great value for a down and feather pillow. Side sleepers should opt for a thicker pillow like the Cuddledown 800 Fill Power European Goose Down Sateen Pillow, which offers enough height to support side sleepers and anyone with a larger frame.
Parachute’s down pillow earned the top score out of all the down pillows we tested in the Lab, and it was also popular among real-life testers. It received a perfect durability score, and it saw no change in appearance or shrinkage after machine washing. Our textile pros and testers found that it maintained its shape after use too.
The pillow is made with European down (85% down clusters, 15% down and feather fibers) with a luxuriously smooth 100% cotton sateen shell. The double stitching around the hem helped prevent any feathers from sticking out in our testing.
Who it's best for: This pillow has three densities with options for people of every sleeping position: soft for stomach sleepers and medium or firm for back sleepers. Parachute also offers a down side sleeper pillow too.
Tester notes: Every tester said they would continue using this pillow and shared that it was both comfortable and supportive. One tester said, "It was absolutely dreamy!" and, "It is actually the most comfortable pillow I have ever used." Another tester shared, "I thought this was a great pillow because it was soft and kept its shape well. It didn't bunch up like other feather pillows."
For a more affordable fluffy pillow, opt for a style that features both down and feathers. FluffCo uses a two-layer design with down in the outer layer for softness and feathers in the core for support.
The responsibly sourced fill is available in both soft and firm options. It didn't shrink after washing, and our Lab pros liked how nicely it fit inside a pillowcase. It's not as luxe as other picks, so we did notice that some feathers poked through the edges during testing, but we love that this pick comes with a free pillow protector to help prolong its lifespan.
Who it's best for: Anyone who wants the luxurious feel of real down without the high price tag. Because of the two-layer design, it offers more support compared to other down pillows.
Tester notes: Users enjoyed its fluffiness, and one told us, "Night after night, it maintained the same comfort level as the first day I slept on it." Another said, "This pillow was extremely comfortable to sleep on no matter what position I slept in."
Side sleepers need a firm pillow with a higher height, but many down pillows are just too flat. Cuddledown’s down pillows are ideal for side sleepers because they offer a higher fill power of 800, making them thicker and more supportive. This pillow, filled with white goose down, also features a 450-thread-count cover that's 100% cotton.
In our tests, this pillow did not shrink or change appearance after laundering. If the pillow looks flat out of the washer, don’t fret. It fluffed back up to its original height after drying. We also loved Cuddledown's 700-fill-power pillow if you sleep on your back or stomach.
Who it's best for: Side sleepers who crave the plush feel of down but require a higher pillow height. It's also ideal for those with a larger frame or anyone who is constantly layering multiple pillows to achieve proper support.
Tester notes: "I love that it is supportive as well as soft," said one tester who was impressed with its airy feel. Testers loved that it kept its shape night after night, and many said that they never overheated while sleeping on this pillow.
Adjustable pillows callow you to customize your pillow's height for ultimate neck support. While most adjustable pillows use shredded foam or synthetic fibers, this pillow uses down for a plush, luxurious feel. It features a unique pillow-in-a-pillow design. Use the pillow as-is for a firm feel or use just the interior pillow for medium firmness. If you zip up the case without the interior pillow, it'll have the softest feel. This pillow was a Good Housekeeping's 2024 Bedding Awards winner thanks to its versatility.
Who it's best for: Testers who struggled to find the right down pillow for proper neck alignment especially liked that they got three different firmness levels in one pillow. This is the perfect pillow for someone who loves having options and wants optimal neck support.
Tester notes: "There’s an airiness to this pillow from the down that makes it feel light while at the same time super supportive," said one tester. All testers liked this pillow's adjustable design, and one even commented that she enjoyed being able to turn this pillow into two pillows if she had guests staying over. "The pillow is very soft, lightweight, fluffy and not lumpy at all," said another tester. "The pillow felt soft and cuddly and my neck is not sore in the morning." One tester reported, "After suffering from a neck pain that often woke me up at night, I have had more consistently restful nights since using this unique pillow."
Back sleepers need a thinner pillow than side sleepers to maintain proper neck alignment, and this down pillow from Casper has a loft that's ideal for back sleepers. It fits perfectly in a standard-size pillowcase and was beloved by testers for being comfortable and maintaining its proper shape after use (although we did find it took a bit of time to return to its original shape after in-Lab pressure tests). The five-chamber design keeps the down and feather fill evenly distributed.
Who it's best for: This pillow is best suited for back sleepers because of its height and level of support. It's great for someone who loves the feel of down but doesn't want to sink too deeply into their pillow.
Tester notes: Casper's pillow received high marks across the board for being comfortable to sleep on, with many testers saying this is their new favorite pillow. One tester said she especially loved how it "holds its shape and doesn't go flat."
Stomach sleepers need a thin, soft pillow to encourage proper spinal alignment and this Brooklinen pillow delivers. The Plush version of this pillow is thin but soft enough to cradle your head while sleeping on your stomach. It fit perfectly in a standard-size pillowcase in our Lab evaluation, but it took longer to return to its original shape during pressure tests. Note that this pillow is spot-clean or dry-clean only.
Who it's best for: Stomach sleepers who love a plush feel. It's thin and soft, so it's also great to hold when sleeping too.
Tester notes: This pillow received top marks for comfort with nearly all testers saying they'd continue using it. "It is soft but not so soft that it collapses and I have to bunch it up," said one tester. "I sleep comfortably with my head and neck supported." Another tester added, "This pillow was so comfortable. I slept well on it and definitely may need to buy more." One tester even said, "It sure beats my expensive down pillow I bought before that I came to loathe. So far, I love this pillow!"
If you're obsessed with the ultra-plush pillows you find at five-star hotels, you can have the same luxury experience with the Hotel Collection, sold exclusively at Macy's. With a luxe 500 thread count cotton cover, this pillow has a 700 fill power and 100% goose-down fill that’s great for back sleepers. We tested the medium fill power style, but there are also soft and firm options available.
Who it's best for: Anyone who sleeps best in a luxurious hotel bed. These pillows help you achieve that same feel at home. It's also a great pillow for anyone who likes to frequently launder their bedding as this pick comes with a removable cover. (It was the only down pillow we tested that had one.)
Tester notes: Testers especially loved that it kept its shape after use, with one tester saying, "I like that it was soft, yet it still maintained its shape. It did not get flat when my head was on it. It just comfortably supported my head and neck. I woke up feeling rested and comfortable." Some testers found it a bit too firm, however.
Especially popular for its plush feel, this Garnet Hill down pillow is a reliable pick to create a cloud-like sleeping environment. With a 600–650 fill power (depending on if you choose a soft, medium or firm fill density), this pillow has a super plush feel, so you comfortably sink into your pillow when you rest your head on it.
This pillow washed beautifully in our Lab evaluations, returning to its original shape after laundering with no noticeable changes in appearance or size. We appreciate that you have the option for a gusset for extra support — ideal for side sleepers.
Who it's best for: Sleepers who love that ultra plush feel and want to sink into their pillow at night. This is also a good option for someone who wants a variety of choices as you can choose between three firmness levels and if you want a built-in gusset for extra height.
Tester notes: Down pillow lovers were big fans of this pillow with one tester even saying, "This pillow is now my favorite one to sleep on. It's soft and comfortable and squishes down perfectly when you put your head on it." Another reported, "I loved how this pillow conformed to my needs whether sleeping on my side, back or stomach. It had the best amount of give and support." Praising its quality construction, another tester said, " I also like that the exterior is a very soft cotton and the ribbing around the edges seems very high quality." Some testers noted that the "soft" style felt too flat for their preferences.
To find a firmer down pillow, look for one that has more feathers than down, like this pillow from Four Seasons. This luxe hotel pillow is filled with 75% feathers and 25% down for a firmer, more supportive feel. This pillow performed well in our Lab tests, but it is dry clean only. We love the chic double-stitched and piped edges that give it a more finished look.
Who it's best for: Sleepers who want a firmer, more supportive pillow. It's a great pick for someone who wants to feel like they're sleeping at a five-star hotel every night.
Tester notes: Testers especially liked this pillow's firm feel and its excellent neck support. "As a side sleeper, I found it to be very supportive," reported one tester. "I never woke up with any discomfort after using it." Another tester added, "I really appreciate the quality of craftsmanship; in over a month I have not noticed any down or feather leakage."
Down offers the ultimate plush feel, but it tends to be pricey and isn't great for allergy sufferers. This top-tested down alternative pillow from Tuft & Needle uses synthetic fibers instead of natural down for a lower price point that's friendly to allergy sufferers. In our Lab tests, it maintained its shape well and laundered beautifully with no changes in appearance. This pillow is sold in a set, so it's an excellent value!
Who it's best for: People with a down allergy or anyone who wants a pillow that's easy to launder regularly should consider this down alternative pillow. It's also a great option for someone looking for a more budget-friendly buy.
Tester notes: Testers gave this pillow high marks for being both comfortable and supportive, thanks to its firmer feel. Most testers liked the firmer feel for better neck support, but some wished it were plusher. "I love these pillows. They are so soft and keep their shape well," said one tester. Another added that she liked "how it kept its shape and supported my neck. Overall it is a nice pillow to purchase if you prefer firm to soft!"
In recent years, the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab has put more than 175 pillows to the test to find the most comfortable down pillows to buy.
To test pillows, we have real-life testers sleep on them to find the most comfortable, soft and supportive styles. Each tester is matched with a down pillow that is suitable for their sleeping position. In the Lab, our textile pros evaluate each pillow for washability and durability.
We first check each pillow's care label to ensure we are washing the pillow according to the recommended instructions. We use a standard detergent in the Lab and each laundry load weighs the same amount for consistency. Although most down pillows are machine washable, we make sure to note any that are dry-clean or spot-clean only. We then launder each pillow five times to check if there is any shrinkage or signs of wear.
GH pros put each pillow in a standard-size pillowcase to ensure proper fit. We measure any extra space as every pillow has a slightly different shape, so you can find pillows that pair nicely with your bedding.
Because your head lies on your pillow almost every night, some pillows will lose their shape over time. To avoid down pillows that immediately go flat, we fold each pillow in half and then place a weight on it for a set amount of time before timing how long it takes to return to its original shape.
✔️ Know your down options. Down refers to the clusters found beneath a bird's protective feathers, usually on the belly. They’re ultra-soft, fluffy and airy fibers known to provide excellent insulation. Duck down is more affordable than goose down, but 100% goose down tends to be superior at retaining heat, which is ideal for chillier nights. Down pillows have a plush feel that many testers said was “like sleeping on a cloud" — something that cannot be perfectly mimicked in down alternative (a.k.a. polyester) styles. However, down pillows tend to lose their shape and go flat after continued use. But if you give them a good fluff or run them through a dryer cycle, they should return to their original height.
✔️ Determine your sleeping position. When choosing the best pillow to buy, consider whether you are a side sleeper, back sleeper or stomach sleeper. It's normal to change positions throughout the night, but typically the position you wake up in is the position you were in most of the night. Here’s a simple guide to what type of pillow is best for each position:
✔️ Consider a mix for a better price. If you love the feel of down but not the high price, look for pillows that offer a mix of down and feathers. Down is softer and plusher, while standard feathers are a bit stiffer. Down alternative fibers have a similar feel to down at a fraction of the cost. For the ultimate plush feel, 100% down pillows reign supreme, but be prepared for a high price tag.
✔️ Peek at the care label. Most down pillows are machine washable, but some styles require a larger, front-loading washing machine and dryer balls when drying. If you notice an odor when your down pillows are wet, that’s perfectly normal. It’ll dissipate once it’s fully dry. In our evaluations, down pillows consistently took longer to dry than polyester styles. We recommend using dryer balls and multiple dry cycles to ensure your pillow is completely dry before returning it to your bed.
Emma Seymour is the senior textiles analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute. She has rigorously tested more than 100 pillows in the Textiles Lab and coordinated pillow sleep testing with hundreds of at-home reviewers. Emma has a Bachelor of Science in Fiber Science from Cornell University and has been testing bedding for more than five years at Good Housekeeping.
Emma Seymour (she/her) is a senior product analyst at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Textiles, Paper and Apparel Lab, where she has led testing for luggage, pillows, towels, tampons and more since 2018. She graduated from Cornell University with a bachelor of science in fiber science and apparel design and a minor in gerontology, completing research in the Body Scanner Lab on optimizing activewear for athletic performance.
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