The Best Goose Down Pillows in 2021

Perched at the top of rankings for the best pillows is the coveted goose down pillow. Goose down is the fluffy insulated layer of smaller, tuft-like feathers that hide under the external layer of more rigid, protective feathers. It is the most valued filling on the market, and rightfully so. Not only do luxury down pillows provide the highest level of comfort, but this natural option is also made to last. 

Are you looking to outfit your bed with this luxury item? Before you make the investment, educate yourself on the differences between products. Fill power, material, and a protective shell all play a part in the design of your perfect pillow. Keep reading to learn about our top picks for the best goose down pillows and what to look for when selecting your own.

The Best Goose Down Pillows 

• Best Price – Puredown
• Best Luxury Down Pillow – Downluxe
• Best Rated Goose Down Pillow – COZSINOOR
• Best Fill Power – JA COMFORTS

What is a Goose Down Pillow? 

Goose down is made from the undercoat feathers of geese and ducks. These feathers, known as down, are prized for being super soft, long lasting, and luxurious. Most goose down pillows made today are actually made of a mix of feathers and down clusters, where the ratio of down to feathers impacts how soft the pillow feels and accordingly, the price. 

Pros and Cons of Down Pillows

There are both benefits and risks to using goose down pillows. Know the facts before you decide to purchase a down pillow.

Besides being light, fluffy and supportive all night long, the movement of the down clusters create air pockets that are beneficial for several reasons. They insulate, allow your pillow to breathe, draw moisture from your head, and form a natural cushion of air. Down clusters also help the pillow retain its preferred shape and form for how you sleep. According to the level of fill power, meaning how much down is in the pillow, the pillow will spring back right into shape.

However, 100% goose down pillows may pose a health risk for many individuals with allergies and/or asthma. Down pillows containing feathers can emit millions of feather fragments into the air that can enter your respiratory tract. The older your down pillow is, the more likely it can get infested with dust mites. 

Duck vs. Goose Down Pillows

Goose down is different from duck down. First of all, there is more goose down available, as geese are larger than ducks and therefore produce more down. Goose down is fluffier, whereas duck down creates a denser, thinner pillow. Which filler you prefer relates to how you sleep and what effect you would like your pillow to have.

Down vs Down Alternatives

While down refers specifically to the under feathers of ducks and geese that create insulation, down alternatives are created with man-made synthetic materials like rayon, polyester, and cotton. Down alternatives tend to be heavier to create the same effect as natural down in terms of fill power and warmth. Down alternatives are also less expensive, as they are not created from limited, natural resources.

How to Find the Best Goose Down Pillow

The goose down pillow is a traditional option that has evolved with time. When looking for your perfect goose down pillow, keep an eye out for these keywords; fill power, material, and shell.

Fill Power

Fill power essentially refers to how packed your pillow is. Higher fill power is more desirable because it leads to better support and a cushier experience. The bigger your down clusters, the higher the fill power that causes your pillow to spring back and retain its shape and form. Fill power ultimately translates into how much all-night support you receive.

Fill power is a standard measurement used to assess down quality. A 20 gram or one-ounce down sample is measured and tested in an environment where it is compressed and evaluated. The more air an amount of down can trap, the more the down can insulate. Fill power ranges from around 300 (in³/oz or 175 cm³/g or Lorch 75 mm/30g) to 900 (in³/oz or 520 cm³/g or Lorch 225 mm/30g), where the lowest fill power relates to feathers and the highest is typically goose down feathers, even though some rare species have a higher fill power than geese.

Sleeping Position

You want to pick a pillow that is best for how you sleep in terms of sleep position. Whether you are a side sleeper, back sleeper, or stomach sleeper, know which goose down pillow is right for you.

• If you are a side sleeper, you need the firmest kind of pillow that is able to support your head, neck, and shoulders.
• If you are a back sleeper, you need medium support in order to preserve the alignment of your neck and spine. By keeping your head properly elevated with this medium support, you are able to maintain spinal alignment.
• If you are a stomach sleeper, you need a soft pillow to keep your neck straight while sleeping. Choose a breathable pillow that maintains air circulation.

Material

Material is clearly the most important part of a goose down pillow. The most luxurious of all pillows, nothing beats the natural softness of goose feathers.

Alternatively, there are different down options out there that get close to the real thing and can be a good option for those who have allergies or are looking for the most inexpensive option.

Thread Count

Thread count of your goose down pillow matters. Most pillow covers are 100 percent cotton, where for goose down pillows, you want to make sure the thread count makes the cover strong enough to contain the down. A 500 thread count strikes a balance between being soft and smooth and also being able to contain the down. For breathability though, a 233 thread count pillow will do the trick. This thread count helps maintain comfort and breathability while still protecting the pillow from wear, preventing feathers from coming out.

Shell

A shell is much more than your typical pillowcase. Choose one that has excellent construction and protective lining to keep feather quills from being a buzzkill. Without a quality shell, your pillow will quickly turn from plush to prickly.

Cleaning

There are just a few important things to remember when washing goose down pillows, or any kind of feather pillows. 

• Remember to put two pillows in the washer at the same time to balance your washing machine. 
• Use less liquid laundry detergent than normal and run on a delicate cycle. 
• You can choose hot water to kill allergens and dust mites; however, cool water protects the feathers. 
• In terms of drying, place the two pillows together in the dryer using low heat on a gentle cycle. 
• Add dryer balls to help prevent the down from clumping and drying unevenly.

Cost

Goose down pillows are more expensive than your average pillow. The fill power and the ratio between feathers and down in a pillow both contribute to the price of the item. The average price of goose down pillows ranges between $60 and $100, though there are pillows costing lower and higher than this range.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a goose down pillow like? 

Comfortable and luxurious, goose down pillows are typically softer with enough air and space inside to be able to create shapes with the pillow to best support your sleep during the night. The pillow is made with a thick cover to keep the down or combination of feathers and down inside the pillow. 

Is duck or goose down better for pillows? 

Goose down actually has a higher fill power, as geese are larger than ducks and hence create more volume of down. Goose down pillows are fluffier, while duck pillows are more dense and flat. It depends on your personal preference.

Why are down pillows so expensive?

Down is harder to come by than feathers, as less down is produced by geese than feathers. The price of pillows typically comes down to the filling, so a material that is harder to come by and is on demand is more expensive.

Are down pillows hypoallergenic?

There is a common perception that down pillows are bad for allergies, leading to the creation of down alternative pillows and anti-allergen pillows. However, whether down pillows are bad for allergies is debatable.  Just make sure down pillows are cleaned to hypoallergenic standards.

Can goose down pillows be washed? 

Yes, goose down pillows are machine washable and dryable.

Summary

Here’s a quick recap of our favorite down pillows we’ve reviewed: 

Down Pillow	Material	Best for	Rating
Puredown	Egyptian Cotton	Best Price	4.3/5
Downluxe	JACQUARD quality 100% cotton	Best Luxury	4.2/5
COZSINOOR	100% Cotton	Best Rated	4.6/5
JA COMFORTS	100% Cotton	Best Fill Power	4.2/5

Goose down pillows easily add exceptional comfort to your bed set-up. They are more expensive than other commonly used pillow materials; however, the money you spend will come back in spades through the coziness you’ll feel.

Choose one of our top picks for best goose down pillows and gain a better night’s sleep that raises your overall sleep standards.