Menu

Home / Roundups / The Best Down Alternative Pillows

The Best Down Alternative Pillows

Corey Majeau
Updated January 6, 2023

Down pillows are slowly being edged out by something known as a down alternative pillow. But what are these products and how could they possibly replace something made from natural down? Down alternative pillows are filled with synthetic fibers that possess a lot of the qualities that natural down also has.

They are a great option for people who are allergic to natural down, or for those who are concerned about how the underside of birds is being harvested to make such products. If you’re looking to buy a down alternative pillow, here’s a guide that will take you through the important know-how, as well as some of the products that are literally the best ones money can buy.

1. Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow – Editor's Choice

Check Price
  • Available sizes: Queen, King
  • Outer shell: cotton
  • Fill: poly gel fiber

2. Fern and Willow Down Alternative Pillows

Check Price
  • Available sizes: Queen
  • Outer shell: cotton cover
  • Fill: gel-infused microfiber

3. Coop Home Goods Pillow

Check Price
  • Available sizes: Queen, King
  • Outer shell: 60% polyester + 40% rayon derived from bamboo
  • Fill: memory foam + microfiber blend

4. PureTree Organic Pillow

Check Price
  • Available sizes: Standard/Queen, King
  • Outer shell: organic cotton
  • Fill: organic shredded latex

5. Amazon Basics Down-Alternative Pillows

Check Price
  • Available sizes: Standard, King
  • Outer shell: polyester microfiber
  • Fill: down alternative

6. downluxe Pillows

Check Price
  • Available sizes: Standard, Queen, King
  • Outer shell: cotton
  • Fill: polyester blend

The Best Down Alternative Pillows

1. Beckham Hotel Collection Gel Pillow – Editor's Choice

Check Price

Highlights

  • Available sizes: Queen, King
  • Outer shell: cotton
  • Fill: poly gel fiber

Pros

  • No-shift fill.
  • Highly breathable.
  • Conforming fiberfill.
  • Outer cotton shell.
  • Soft to the touch.
  • Machine washable.

Cons

  • Loft is not adjustable.

Moving on to our next product, we have the Beckham pillows which come from the same brand who makes some of the best down alternative comforters that money can buy. This time, we’re looking at a set of two pillows that are filled with poly gel fiber.

The outer shell of the pillow is also made from cotton, which provides a high level of breathability and that smooth feeling that only sateen cotton can give you. The insides of the pillow consist of gel fibers that are designed to provide support regardless of whether you are a back or a side sleeper. With a decent loft level, the fibers can easily adapt to your head and neck to give you the support you need.

What’s even more interesting is that these fibers are infused with gel, which means that these pillows offer higher levels of breathability compared to what similarly-priced pillows can offer. And, if you’re looking for even more good news, the pillows can be washed in the washing machine as well.

Who Should Buy This?

The Beckham set of two pillows is a perfect option for hot sleepers who could use all the cooling measures that a pillow could provide, but also for those who are just looking to get a good bargain on a set of two down alternative pillows.

2. Runner Up: Fern and Willow Down Alternative Pillows

Check Price

Highlights

  • Available sizes: Queen
  • Outer shell: cotton cover
  • Fill: gel-infused microfiber

Pros

  • Machine washable.
  • Allergen-free.
  • Soft cotton cover.
  • Adjustable loft.
  • Gel-infused fibers.

Cons

  • Complaints about lacking support.

Fern and Willow bring forth a set of two pillows that have certain characteristics that you are bound to love. It comes with a soft cotton cover that has a very smooth surface and feels highly breathable, as most other pillows with cotton covers are.

The insides of the pillow are all about gel-infused microfiber that mimics the properties of natural down and makes it feel like you’re sleeping on an authentic down product. Furthermore, the gel-infused fibers are there to make sure that you never sleep hot again, which is a feature that plenty of sleepers look for in such a product.

If you want even more good news: this pillow comes with an adjustable loft, meaning that you can take advantage of the fact that you can remove some of the existing fill so that the pillow will be of a height that’s perfect for you. The product is also machine washable.

Who Should Buy This?

We have chosen the Fern and Willow set of down alternative pillows because of their good price, adjustable loft, and we think them to be excellent for people who want to try a brand that, in our own humble opinion, deserves more recognition.

3. Best Memory Foam: Coop Home Goods Pillow

Check Price

Highlights

  • Available sizes: Queen, King
  • Outer shell: 60% polyester + 40% rayon derived from bamboo
  • Fill: memory foam + microfiber blend

Pros

  • 100 nights of sleep trial.
  • Adjustable loft.
  • Extra loft provided.
  • Hypoallergenic.
  • Breathable.

Cons

  • Slight off-gassing.
  • A bit more expensive.

Time to move on a fancier pillow, one that’s filled with a blend made from microfiber and the ever-so-loved memory foam. The Coop Home Goods pillow debuts with a cover that brings together polyester and bamboo-derived rayon to create a stretchable and breathable fabric for hot sleepers.

The fill that’s found inside the pillow is medium-firm and it can be adjusted so that you can enjoy a pillow that’s suitable to the corresponding height for your body configuration and your favorite sleeping position. But if you want even more good news, you should know that you can make the pillow even loftier if you want to, as your order will include a bag of extra fill for you to work with.

Overall, we’re talking about a high-quality down alternative pillow that’s vegan and cruelty-free, provides you with the hypoallergenic advantage of a product in this category, and is also GREENGUARD Gold and CertiPUR-US certified.

Who Should Buy This?

The Coop Home Goods pillow is a great option for people who want a down alternative product with an adjustable loft so they can customize the height to make it suitable for their favorite sleeping position.

4. Best Organic: PureTree Organic Pillow

Check Price

Highlights

  • Available sizes: Standard/Queen, King
  • Outer shell: organic cotton
  • Fill: organic shredded latex

Pros

  • Naturally cooling.
  • Machine washable.
  • Removable cover.
  • GOTS Certified cotton.
  • GOLS Certified latex fill.
  • Adjustable loft.

Cons

  • Expensive.

The last item on today’s list is the perfect choice for latex lovers. It’s the PureTree organic pillow that’s made from organic materials, a great option for eco-conscious shoppers and people who simply love the idea and feel of shredded latex supporting their heads.

The pillow impresses you with its organic cotton cover that comes from reliable and eco-friendly sources, making it a viable option for children and adults alike. Inside the pillow, you can find GOLS Certified organic latex, with many amazing properties that include a high level of natural cooling and a pleasant bouncy feel.

Thanks to the included double zippers, you can access the loft and adjust the fill to get the pillow to the height you were hoping for. You can wash both the outer cover as well the entire pillow. In the end, this purchase will bring you a durable and breathable pillow that will last you for many years to come.

Who Should Buy This?

The PureTree pillow is a viable choice for hot sleepers, people who love the feel of latex, those who want a pillow with adjustable loft, eco-conscious shoppers, and those who want a durable product overall.

5. Best Basic: Amazon Basics Down-Alternative Pillows

Check Price

Highlights

  • Available sizes: Standard, King
  • Outer shell: polyester microfiber
  • Fill: down alternative

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic.
  • 2 firmness options.
  • Machine washable.

Cons

  • Questionable long-term durability.

Amazon Basics has surprised me once again, this time with some very cool down alternative pillows. The pillows have a microfiber cover and comfortable down alternative, in contrast to pillows manufactured from down feathers, which can provoke allergic reactions in certain people.

The shell of the pillow is constructed out of polyester microfiber and it has piping all the way around the edge for additional support. The hand feel of the pillow is unparalleled in its coziness. They’re made in a plant that satisfies the requirements of the OEKO-TEX Standard, an independent certification program that verifies compliance with stringent health, safety, and environmental requirements.

6. Best Bargain: downluxe Pillows

Check Price

Highlights

  • Available sizes: Standard, Queen, King
  • Outer shell: cotton
  • Fill: polyester blend

Pros

  • Machine washable.
  • Hypoallergenic.
  • Made with cotton fibers.

Cons

  • Tend to form clumps in a few months of use.

Another great buy for people looking for bargain buys is this set that consists of two down alternative pillows. With three size options to choose from, these pillows are covered in cotton fibers, which is pretty surprising considering how affordable they are.

Since it’s filled with synthetic fibers, either of these pillows can be cleaned in the washing machine. Unlike natural down, they are not likely to cause an allergic reaction. The standard version of these pillows measures 20 x 26 inches for each of them.

Benefits of Down Alternative Pillows

The very first step in researching whether or not down pillows are a good alternative for you is examining the perks and drawbacks of these products. Some of the benefits of using down alternative pillows include:

  • They are considerably cheaper compared to natural down pillows. On average, a good down alternative pillow costs about $30. Naturally, you can find pillows that are cheaper, but also more expensive than that.
  • Because natural down is known for its high insulating capacity, it’s not the most breathable choice for pillow fill. That automatically means that down alternative pillows are more breathable, therefore more suitable for people who tend to sleep hot.
  • Depending on the exact type of fill that’s inside them, down alternative pillows can also be quite flexible. This means that you can mold them to your desire and sleep on them in different shapes.
  • Since natural down is a well-known allergy trigger, down alternative pillows are way more suitable for those of you who have allergies. Take note that not all down alternative pillows are completely allergy-free because of the potential presence of dust microbes, but they are also less likely to trigger an allergic reaction compared to natural down.
  • Also depending on the fill that’s inside them, some down alternative pillows can have little to no odor. Some pillows that are filled with materials like foam or latex might have a specific scent, but it usually passes within a few hours of leaving the pillow in a well-ventilated room.
  • Down alternative pillows are also widely available as opposed to their natural down competitors. It is way easier to find down alternative pillows, but you also have more options in terms of how the pillow looks/feels.

Downsides of Down Alternative Pillows

As with every other product, down alternative pillows also have some negative things that every buyer should know about in order to make an informed shopping decision on the best pillow for you:

  • Down alternative pillows have a relatively short lifespan. For the most part, they only last about two years, which makes them less durable when compared to their natural down counterparts.
  • These types of pillows also tend to be noisier compared to those filled with natural down. That, of course, depends on the fill materials, but it’s safe to assume that most down alternative fill makes noise when they compress under the pressure of your head, which is something that could wake you up if you’re a light sleeper.
  • Being made from less durable materials, down alternative pillows are more prone to clumping and will lose their shape in the long run, as well as during the night. This can lead to further discomfort that could disrupt your sleep.

Standard Sizing Options for Down Alternative Pillows

When you buy a new mattress, you are used to seeing models that are sized between Twin and Cal King. Even if pillows are available in Queen and King sizes as well, that’s about the only resemblance with the size classification of a mattress. You can find down alternative pillows in the following sizes:

  • Standard is probably the most common pillow size that you can find. It is the equivalent of the “Twin” size because it’s the cheapest one available, and it’s also the most compact.
  • Super standard is your next option, and you’ll often see that it’s referred to as “jumbo”. This pillow size is two inches longer compared to the Standard model.
  • Queen-sized pillows are, of course, longer than the Super Standard ones. They are a great option for people who tend to switch sleeping positions a lot during the night and could use wider pillows that support them even when they turn around.
  • King-size pillows are the longest option available. They are the best option for people who toss and turn a lot during the night, but they are also a good option for people who tend to do other things in bed, like read a book or watch TV. That’s because the pillows are bulky enough to serve as support even when you’re looking to have breakfast in bed.
  • Euro-size pillows come in many different measurements, but you will recognize them thanks to their square shape. If you opt for one that comes in a large size, it can offer you plenty of support for other in-bed activities as well.

Bottom Line

Make no mistake, the list of best down alternative pillows could be even longer, but we tried to select the best of the best for our readers. Truth is that you can find a lot of different good pillows as long as you have an understanding of what your expectations are from a product of this kind. The rest of it is just the patience to look at the many different options available.