Written by Tony Klespis, Staff Writer
Down alternative pillows are the most common type of pillow on the market these days. And while it may be tempting to pick up a $10 pillow out of a bin, it can be worth it to invest into a higher-quality pillow!
That’s why I’ve rounded up the best down alternative pillows I’ve tested. Out of the dozens I tried, only five made the final cut. There’s something for everyone, so keep reading!
Our Verdict: What’s the Best Down Alternative PIllow?
I named the Saatva as the best down alternative pillow. This is a pillow chock full of fluffy down alternative that shouldn’t fall flat over time. It’s a 7″ thick pillow, so it’s tall and supportive for side sleepers. But it’s soft enough that some back sleepers should enjoy the pillow, too.
Our Top Picks for the Best Down Alternative Pillows
- Saatva Down Alternative Pillow – Editor’s Pick
- Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow – Best Hypoallergenic Down Alternative Pillow
- Bear Contour Pillow – Best Down Alternative Pillow For Side Sleepers
- Peacock Alley – Best Down Alternative Pillow that Won’t Flatten
- Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow – Best Soft Down Alternative Pillow
How We Choose Our Products
Our team of Sleep Experts have reviewed over 100 pillows currently on the market using proprietary hands-on testing to give the best for our readers. For the “best down alternative pillows” list, I wanted to pick pillows with this popular material that could stand the test of time, lasting much longer than some inexpensive ones you can find at the supermarket. This means having features such as cotton covers, being chock full of materials, and more.
In this roundup, I give you a number of options so you can select a product that not only fits your preferences, but find one that is also long lasting, breathable, and extremely comfortable. In the Buyer’s Guide after the list, you’ll find more information about the pillow-buying process, learn what down alternative is, and know what to be on the look out for.
Video Review: The Best Down Alternative Pillows
Editor’s Pick – Saatva Down Alternative Pillow
Saatva Down Alternative Pillow
Saatva uses high-quality, durable materials in its down alternative pillow. It combines comfort and support which is ideal for back sleeping, and it’s high loft fill makes it a good choice for side sleepers, too. But it’s also moldable enough for stomach sleepers! It’s the perfect down alternative pillow.
Our Expert’s Take
When it comes to picking the best down alternative pillow, you’ve gotta check every box. The Saatva Down Alternative Pillow is hypoallergenic, soft, supportive, breathable, and stands out amongst down alternative pillows.
I’ll admit, this is a luxurious option, but you get what you pay for! Being made of 100% organic cotton and durable polyester microfibers, this pillow should be a worthy investment and last you a while.
The fill is soft, supportive, and moldable so it should be a good option for all three sleeping positions. And being made of lofty microfibers and a breathable cotton cover, it shouldn’t trap heat.
What We Love About the Saatva Down Alternative Pillow
- Down alternative pillows aren’t always the longest lasting, but this pillow is made of high-quality materials so it should last you a good while.
- It is 100% hypoallergenic, so if you have sensitive allergies, this is a good pick.
- It’s full of microfiber clusters and is 7″ tall, so it shouldn’t fall flat.
What to Keep In Mind About the Saatva Down Alternative Pillow
- Because of how tall this pillow is, stomach sleepers will find themselves craning their necks upward. This will lead to neck pain if you use it every night. If you’re a stomach sleeper, you’ll want to opt for a flat pillow.
Read my full Saatva Down Alternative pillow review.
Best Hypoallergenic – Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow
Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow
The Brooklinen Down Alternative pillow is a great hypoallergenic option that’s machine washable and dryer-friendly. This pillow is very full and fluffy, making a particularly great option for side sleepers.
Mattress Clarity Score
4.80 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
Brooklinen makes nice sheet sets, but the Down Alternative pillow deserves just as much attention. Brooklinen uses a fill that is derived from recycled plastic bottles, making it fairly eco-friendly. Because of this, the materials won’t trap allergens in your sleep environment, making it a great hypoallergenic option for those with sensitive allergies.
This pillow comes in three different firmness options, making it fit a wide variety of needs. The plush version should work well for stomach sleepers who don’t need a very firm or tall pillow to be comfortable while they sleep. The medium-firm option works well for back sleepers, and the firm version should be supportive enough for side sleepers.
What We Love About the Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow
- It was designed to be 100% hypoallergenic, making it a win for those with sensitive allergies.
- There are three firmness options, so there’s something for everyone.
- It comes as a single pillow, but you can order a double pack or a four-pack. But if you just need one, this pillow won’t break the bank, as it’s under $100.
What to Keep In Mind About the Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow
- Depending on the firmness you get, you might need to frequently fluff the pillow in order to keep it from falling flat. Brooklinen recommends fluffing it daily.
Read my full Brooklinen Down Alternative pillow review.
Best for Side Sleepers- Bear Contour Pillow
Bear Contour Pillow
The Bear Contour Pillow has two sides to its outer cover: a cool side and a soft side. No matter your preference, you’ll find what you like! It also has a unique U-shaped cut out to account for shoulders for side sleepers!
Mattress Clarity Score
4.30 / 5
Read Full ReviewOur Expert’s Take
While sleeping on your side requires a tall loft, or height, for your pillow, some side sleeper pillows are just built differently. Literally! The Bear Contour Pillow is a down alternative pillow that has a unique U-shaped cut out on one side that will accommodate your shoulder for side sleeping.
This medium-firm pillow also features a double-sided outer cover. One side feels soft, smooth, and satin-like for luxurious feeling comfort. The other has Bear’s proprietary Ice Fabric, which is a version of phase change material. This fabric will pull body heat away and help you stay cool all night long. This means it’s a great pick for hot sleepers!
What We Love About the Bear Contour Pillow
- It has a U-shaped cutout to accommodate your shoulder, which makes sleeping on your side more comfortable.
- It has a double sided cover: one for cooling, one for comfort. The cool side is a great option for hot sleepers.
- This pillow is tall and supportive, which is ideal for side sleeping. But it also won’t fall flat with use.
What to Keep In Mind About the Bear Contour Pillow
- Because of the pillow’s unique shape, back and stomach sleepers might not feel comfortable while using it.
Read my full Bear Contour pillow review.
Best That Won’t Flatten- Peacock Alley Down Alternative
Peacock Alley Down Alternative Pillow
The Peacock Alley Down Alternative pillow comes in two firmnesses. This thick pillow should stay nice and fluffy and won’t sag over time.
Our Expert’s Take
Nothing is more frustrating than when a nice, full pillow flattens into a pancake. Luckily, that won’t happen with the Peacock Alley Down Alternative pillow. Peacock Alley offers both a medium and firm version of this pillow, the latter of which will be more resistant to flattening thanks to its higher density of down alternative.
The pillow comes wrapped in a 400 thread count sateen pillow protector that you can easily remove and throw in the wash. Underneath the protector is a tuft of Dacron, a polyester fiber, used to create the down alternative fiberfill that keeps the Peacock Alley pillow soft and allergy-free.
Based on over 125 reviews, users rated the Down Alternative pillow 4.8/5 stars, according to Peacock Alley. Verified buyers praised the pillow for its luxurious feel, resistance to flattening, and supportive ability.
What We Love About the Peacock Alley Down Alternative Pillow
- Both firmness options come in two different sizes, offering four great pillows to choose from.
- The outer cotton cover is removable and machine-washable for easy care.
- Because it doesn’t use down, this pillow shouldn’t trap allergens in your sleep environment, making it a good hypoallergenic pick.
What to Keep In Mind About the Peacock Alley Down Alternative Pillow
- Some customers in the reviews mentioned that the medium-firm pillow is too soft. Down alternative is a soft, fluffy material. So if you want a pillow that offers more support, opt for the firm option.
Full review to come!
Best Soft – Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow
Tuft & Needle Down Alternative PIllow
The Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow comes to you in a 2-pack! This high-quality down alternative pillow feels soft and plush and works well for side sleepers.
Our Expert’s Take
Who doesn’t love resting their head on a soft, fluffy, cloud-like pillow? The Tuft & Needle down alternative pillow is soft, lightweight, and airy, making it perfect for fans of soft pillows everywhere.
You can only order this in a double pack, but when looking for new pillows, sometimes it’s just easier to click “check out” instead of adding the same thing twice. This also makes it a good option for couples who love soft pillows, too.
The Tuft & Needle down alternative pillow is very soft and fluffy, but it still provides a good amount of support for back sleepers, and it’s tall enough that side sleepers can still find what they need in this soft pillow.
What We Love About the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow
- It’s very soft and plush, while still being supportive, and it works best for back sleepers.
- Tuft & Needle sells this in a double pack for convenience.
- It comes with a substantial 100-night sleep trial period and a two-year limited warranty.
What to Keep In Mind About the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow
- At full price, the double pack costs $120. For some, this might be out of price range. But the good news is, Tuft & Needle does offer financing for those that need to break up payments.
Read my full Tuft & Needle Down Alternative pillow review.
What To Consider When Looking for the Best Down Alternative Pillows
Down alternative pillows are super accessible these days. Let’s go over some important factors what to look for in the best down alternative pillows and what makes them so different from down pillows.
What Are Down Alternative Pillows Made Of?
If I were to be cheeky, I could say that a down alternative is just anything that’s not down. But when I refer to a down alternative pillow, more often than not, I’m referring to pillows that have a fill that is made from synthetic materials, such as fluffy polyester microfibers.
Down alternative pillows can also have polyester or cotton outer covers, as well. Some brands will include polyester fill with shredded memory foam as well.
How To Wash a Down Alternative Pillow
Taking care of your pillow is important no matter what the material is. After all, the name of the game is making your pillow last as long as possible. Most of the down alternative pillows on this list are recommended spot clean only.
Some down alternative pillows, like the Purple Cloud, are 100% machine-washable. I would recommend starting with spot cleaning your pillows regularly, or when accidents happen. Only machine-wash the pillow if the manufacturer recommends it, so be sure to closely read the instructions provided.
Down vs Down Alternative Pillows
Down alternatives were designed to mimic the feel of down clusters. If you aren’t sure what down is, down are fiber-like feathers that are found close to a bird’s skin. These are often super soft to the touch, and when made into clusters can feel very fluffy and a perfect resting place for your head.
But down, being an animal product, means that down pillows will be considerably more expensive than the more accessible, synthetic down alternative. Down acts as a natural insulant for birds, so down pillows can sometimes trap heat more than down alternatives.
Some down pillows can be machine-washed, but it is a rather sensitive material, so you need to be careful when washing down pillows. Some down alternative pillows can be machine-washed, but you should stick with spot-cleaning.
Down alternative pillows aren’t as durable as down, so while you may be saving money with a down alternative, you may be replacing them more often.
Summary
| Pillow | Best For |
| Saatva Down Alternative Pillow | Editor’s Pick |
| Brooklinen Down Alternative Pillow | Best Hypoallergenic Down Alternative Pillow |
| Bear Contour Pillow | Best Down Alternative Pillow for Side Sleepers |
| Peacock Alley | Best Down Alternative Pillow that Won’t Flatten |
| Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow | Best Soft Down Alternative Pillow |
The Best Down Alternative Pillows FAQs
What does down alternative mean?
If you’re unfamiliar with down, down alternatives can be equally as confusing. Down refers to very small, fiber-like feathers that are found on birds. So, down alternatives are materials that give pillows that same, plush, fluffy feeling to down, but removes the animal product part of it.
Down alternatives can be just about anything, but more often than not, down alternatives are made from polyester microfibers. This makes down alternative pillows considerably more affordable and hypoallergenic.
Are down alternative pillows good?
Yes! While I wouldn’t recommend pulling one out of a $10 or less bin, there are high-quality down alternative pillows available. Most of them made it into this list!
Down alternative is very accessible and can provide just as much support and comfort as down or memory foam pillows.
How long do down alternative pillows last?
Being a synthetic material, down alternative isn’t the most durable. And if you are buying one of those inexpensive down alternative pillows, they may go flat very quickly. However, if you invest in any of the high-quality pillows listed above, they should last you at least a year, if not more, with good care. Tuft & Needle and GoodMorning offer multi-year warranties on their down alternative pillows, so they should last at least as long as the warranties listed.
