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Down pillows are the epitome of luxury bedding and have been used throughout the ages by royalty and today, in most luxury hotels. But, did you know that you can get down alternative pillows too? We explore the differences between down and down alternative pillows so you can decide which one suits you best.
Difference between down and down alternative pillows
The difference between down and down alternative pillows is the pillow filling. Down pillows contain either bird feathers (usually from ducks and geese) or eiderdown while down alternative pillows contain down alternative fill that mimic the feel of real down but are actually made from synthetic materials.
The natural materials used in down pillows or feather pillows are expensive to gather and process, hence the accompanying price tag. The down and feathers themselves are also expensive to produce, since they come from live birds (we always advocate buying from brands that source their down and feather fills ethically).
A down alternative pillow is cheaper than a down pillow, since its fill material are made from either polyester or cotton fibers. Some brands even use a blend of polyester and foam filling, such as latex or shredded memory foam that mimics the soft and plushy feel of natural down.
Pros and cons of down pillows
Pros
- Temperature regulating
- Plush and malleable
- Suitable for all sleeper types
- Luxurious feel
- Made from natural material
Cons
- Expensive
- Most cannot be machine-washed
- Often has an unmistakeable faint, barnyard-like scent
- Some brands source their down and feathers unethically
- Not suitable for vegans
- Can be prone to dust mites and other allergens if not properly cleaned
The best thing about down pillows is their softness and malleability. No other pillow comes close to the super plush and luxurious feel a down pillow provides.
Because they’re pliable, down and feather pillows can be molded to suit all sleeper types, including strict stomach sleepers. Those who sleep on their stomachs need a pillow with a fairly low loft as it helps give them proper spinal alignment. A down pillow with a lot of fill power can be molded to have lower loft in the middle to suit those who sleep strictly on their tummies.
Down and feather pillows are also temperature neutral. This means they can help you sleep cool when you’re warm and sleep warm when you’re cold. But down pillows are especially beneficial to those who tend to sleep hot. If you need something more active cooling, check out our best cooling pillow article for more options.
But just like with everything else in life, there are some downsides when it comes to down pillows.
Most down and feather pillows can be quite expensive and when it comes to pillows, we can’t really have just one which can then add up costs significantly. Another downside to down and especially feather pillows is that they cannot be machine-washed which could make cleaning them a slight inconvenience, especially when you have children or are prone to spills and accidents. A few brands though, offer down pillows which are machine-washable. It is important to exercise proper care when it comes to maintaining and cleaning down and feather pillows because they can harbor dust mites and grow mold if not properly cared for, which can be a problem for allergy sufferers.
Those who practice a vegan lifestyle may not like the fact that the bedding material used in down pillows, although natural, are sourced from animals. A few brands (usually those from unregulated countries) even practice live plucking, which is an unethical way of sourcing eiderdown and feathers. Thankfully, there are regulations in place in the United States that prohibits local bedding companies from doing that.
Pros and cons of down alternative pillows
Pros
- A cheaper alternative to down pillows
- Can be machine-washed
- Higher fill power
- Some brands contain adjustable fill to suit all sleeper types
- Hypoallergenic
- Suitable for vegans
Cons
- May not have the exact same luxurious, plushy feel as true down pillows
- Synthetic fill can be a little too firm for some
- Shredded memory foam may not be suitable for very hot sleepers
- Those with non-adjustable fill may not suit all sleep positions
The down alternative pillow was created for those who prefer having alternative options to true down pillows. Aside from having the same feel and function, down alternative pillows are also far cheaper than down pillows.
While the feel of down alternative pillows isn’t EXACTLY like that of true down (that actually comes from the soft undercoat of either ducks or geese), a lot of brands have come close. Alternative fills to true down are usually made from blends of polyester fill, cotton fibers (although this one rarely) as well as shredded memory foam or latex.
A lot of down alternative pillows are actually fluffier and thicker than a feather pillow but not everyone prefers a super fluffy pillow. Especially not stomach sleepers. But bedding brands have also begun providing down alternative pillows that are adjustable. This means they come overfilled and you can adjust the loft and firmness by taking out or adding more filling. Rule of thumb when it comes to down alternative pillows: more fill for back and side sleepers, less fill for stomach sleepers.
But hot sleepers may have issues with some down alternative pillows, especially if they’re made from memory foam. Although contouring and comfortable, memory foam pillows tend trap heat, causing them to sleep even hotter so if you’re a hot sleeper, look for down alternative bedding and other down alternatives that’s not made from memory foam.
On the up side, down alternative pillows are usually hypoallergenic, which means they’re perfect for those who suffer from seasonal allergies or for those who just don’t like that barnyard-like smell that most down pillows have.
Vegans who are looking to fill that down pillow and down comforter hole would also do well by choosing down alternative bedding.
How to choose between down and down alternative pillows
While we have listed all the key differences between down and down alternative pillows above, below is a more substantial guide to help you make a more informed decision depending on your needs and preferences.
Cooling capabilities
If you tend to sleep hot, you might feel more comfortable with true down pillows since they are temperature regulating although some down alternatives offer latex filled pillows that may also help you sleep cooler. Try to avoid down alternative pillows that are made up of a blend of polyester and memory foam.
Durability
Depending on usage and care, both down and down alternative pillows can last you a long time but note that most down pillows cannot be washed so if you sweat and drool a lot while you sleep (which can turn pillows yellow quickly), you might want to opt for a machine-washable down alternative.
Cleaning and maintenance
As we’ve mentioned previously, most down pillows cannot be machine-washed or dried so if you have kids or are prone to accidents, choose down alternative bedding instead. But if you really want true down pillows, make sure to spot clean any spills or accidents immediately.
Environmental sustainability
This can be a double-edge sword when it comes to both down and down alternative pillows. Thankfully, US bedding brands have begun practicing sustainability by using leftover foam shreds and fibers from their mattress products to be used as pillow filling in down alternative pillows. When it comes to true down pillows, choose a brand that promotes ethical sourcing practices.
Allergy relief
Animal products and by-products may cause issues to allergy sufferers so it’s a safer bet to choose hypoallergenic down alternative products if you’re one of them.
Cost
As we’ve mentioned, down pillows are more expensive than their synthetic counterpart so if you’re on a tight budget, it’s best to choose a down alternative pillow, which are cheaper.
FAQs
Both down and down alternative pillows are equally comfortable depending on your sleep style and firmness preferences. Note that true down pillows are softer and more pliable than down alternative ones.
Down alternative pillows can be good for strict side sleepers as long as they have an adjustable fill which you can take out or add to get the right loft.
There are no feathers or any other animal by-products in down alternative pillows.
The best pillow filling depends on personal preferences and sleeping style. Common options include down, down alternative, memory foam, latex and polyester filling. Most would argue that down pillows, however, are the ultimate in bedding luxury.
Down pillows cost more than synthetic pillows because down is a natural, premium material. Down is considered to be the softest, most comfortable and most luxurious type of pillow filling. It is also very breathable, allowing air to circulate freely and is also temperature regulating which means it helps keep you stay warm in winter and cool in summer.
Conclusion
There are more than a few key differences between down and down alternative pillows but both types can offer superior comfort and support.
In the end, when it comes to choosing between a down and down alternative pillow, the decision should be based on your personal needs and preferences.
Next step: Read our Tuft and Needle pillow review. If you’re looking for a new down or down alternative pillow then Tuft and Needle is definitely a brand you should consider. In our review we go over the pros and cons of each so you can decide for yourself whether they’re right for you.
Michelline loves nothing more than a cozy bed, with a stack of books at her side. She loves getting lost when she travels, can bake an entire British afternoon tea from scratch, is obsessed with all things analogue and does calligraphy on the side. She currently suffers from mild insomnia and is more than happy to be your guinea pig, so you won’t have to go through all the trouble of finding out what works best for you.
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