Down Alternative Pillow Reviews You Can Actually Trust
No commission • No endorsements • Based on owner experiences • Since 2008 • More
THE GOOD: Often has effective mix of softness and support • cuddly with fair or better moldability • value priced • short break in.
THE BAD: May lack adequate support and firmness for some • durability / longevity no better than fair • regular fluffing may be needed to maintain loft • some lumpiness possible.
THE PILLOWS: Down alternative pillows are filled with polyester "puff" fibers which give them a feel somewhat similar to that of down pillows but without allergy risk.
THE COMPETITION: Mainly down pillows and feather pillows. See how they compare to these and other pillow types in the pillow reviews – summary.
Down Alternative Pillow Ratings: As a Group
The ratings below show how down alternative pillows overall compare to the average pillow as evaluated by consumers. For ratings on specific brands, see the following section.
| Affordable | A- | Prices range $15-$24 for a single pillow (but they are often sold in pairs) with the average down alternative pillow costing about $21. Given their low price and respectable owner satisfaction, value is good. |
| Durability / longevity | c- | Expect a 2-3 year lifespan with regular use in most cases. As the pillow ages, it will flatten and possibly develop clumps and hollow areas. |
| Less (neck) pain | c | Pain relief provided is about average with 8% of owners reporting reduced (neck) pain. Three percent of owners say the pillow causes pain usually due usually to lack of support. |
| Support | c- | A lack of adequate support is the main owner complaint as 15% or more want better, longer-lasting support. |
| Moldable | B | Softer varieties especially can often be scrunched at least somewhat to provide extra support. |
| Cuddly | B | A "cuddly" pillow is soft and huggable – not hard, rigid, stiff or too heavy. A down alternative pillow's softness helps it to perform well on this issue. |
| Contents won't shift / clump | c- | A main complaint for down alternative as at least 7% of owners report lumpiness / clumpiness. |
| Short break in | B+ | The break-in period tends to be fairly short compared to other pillow types and is usually pain free. |
| Reduces snoring | C- | Firmer, more supportive, better contouring pillows tend to perform better. |
| Back sleep friendly | b | Scrunching of the pillow may be required to achieve adequate loft. |
| Side sleep friendly | b+ | Firmer down alternative pillows tend to provide the loft and support that side sleepers need. Alternatively, scrunching a soft down alternative pillow may achieve adequate loft. |
| Stomach sleep friendly | b- | Stomach sleepers can be pleased if the pillow has medium to soft firmness and low to medium loft. |
| No initial odor | b | Complaints about odor exist but are not common. |
| Not a heat trap | b | Owners are usually pleased with air flow as less than 4% of owners report excessive heat retention. |
| No noise | C | Noise from the internal contents or cover / lining can occasionally be an issue as about 5% of owners report a problem. |
| Fewer allergies | B- | Down alternative pillows are hypoallergenic, but they are susceptible to dust mites given their fibrous content. |
| Small person friendly | B | Softer varieties tend to be best suited for people under 130 pounds. |
| Large person friendly | C | Firmer, loftier / thicker varieties often provide superior support for people 230+ pounds than do softer, thinner ones. |
| Easy to maintain | d+ | They will likely need at least occasional shaking / fluffing to maintain loft and comfort. |
| Easily / thoroughly washable | b+ | They are often machine washable. |
| Lightweight | B- | They weigh about 2.5 pounds on average which makes them easy to lift, turn, move. |
Top-Rated Down Alternative Pillows
The table below evaluates down alternative pillows with 85% or higher satisfaction based on at least 700 owner experiences. Information regarding firmness, loft, person size, and sleep position shows what tends to be true for owners; your own personal evaluation may differ.
| Beckham Hotel | Sleep Restoration | Premier Down Like | Langria |
| Owner Satisfaction (sample) | |||
| 89% (4,225) | 85% (2972) | 85% (3664) |
85% (740) |
| Price | |||
| 2 for $33-$50 | 2 for $35-$49 | 2 for $33 |
2 for $30 |
| Firmness* | |||
| medium | medium | choice of soft, medium, firm |
soft |
| Loft* | |||
| medium | medium-high | medium-low |
medium-low |
| Person Size Best Suited For* | |||
| avg, small | avg, large | avg, small | avg, small |
| Sleeping Position(s) Best Suited For* | |||
| back, side, perhaps stomach | back, side, perhaps stomach | back: medium, side: medium to firm, stomach: soft |
back, side, stomach |
| Scrunchable / Moldable | |||
| good to fair | good to fair | good to fair | good |
| Sizes Available | |||
| standard, queen, king | standard, queen, king | standard | queen |
| Pillow Weight | |||
| 3 lbs | 3.1 lbs | 1.3-1.8 lbs | 2 lbs |
| Retailer | |||
| amazon | amazon | overstock.com | amazon |
* See the pillow loft guide and loft calculators.
Description of Lying on a Down Alternative Pillow
Below are the most common ways owners use to describe lying on their down alternative / gel pillow.
Sleep Like The Dead in The News –
About our unbiased down alternative pillow reviews and research
Ratings are based on over 11,600 down alternative pillow owner / consumer reviews collected using an accurate methodology.