The Best Feather Pillows of 2021 – Soft Luxury and Comfort

Feather pillows seem to take people back to their carefree childhoods, because that’s what everyone used in those days. They easily lulled you to sleep because they were incredibly soft and comfortable and so big that you felt like you were being hugged all over. How could we forget them? I guess with all the innovative new materials flooding the market people just wanted to try something new. Everyone seems to be sleeping on fluffy clouds of latex or memory foam these days. But feather pillows are still available, so we want to turn our attention to these traditional cushions because they represent good quality and value. Here are the two types of feathers that are used in feather pillows: 

1. Standard feathers: Come from the outer plumage and are larger and firmer than down. 
2. Down feathers: Come from the inner plumage and are much smaller, softer and fluffier than standard feathers. 

Many pillows are filled with both standard feathers and down, but the down feathers are typically reserved for the edges and the standard feathers go in the middle of the pillow because they’re firmer and can provide support and stability. 

Feather pillows are great for people who love the softness and feel that other types of pillows are just too firm for them. They are durable and long lasting, hardly retain any body heat, so you can keep cool while sleeping and a feather filling is perfect for those who love snuggling with their pillow all night. They also tend to be more affordable compared to other types of pillows. This guide will discuss which feather pillows we’ve chosen for our list of the very Best Feather Pillows of 2019 and why. Regarding feather pillows in general, we will discuss the pros and cons and armed with all this information you should be able to choose the right feather pillow for you. 

The Best Feather Pillows 

WENERSI Down & Feather Pillow (2-Pack) Review

The WENERSI Down & Feather Pillow (2-Pack) was designed with back and side sleepers in mind. It offers excellent support while compressing and conforming well under your body weight. The fill is comprised of 85% feathers and 15% down blend to make it even softer and more malleable. It responds instantly to pressure, so it will conform easily to your body shape providing support while relieving pressure points where needed. A highly breathable 100% cotton cover with a handmade silver-edged medium-density shell looks quite beautiful.

The WENERSI comes in Queen or King size with either a soft or firm level of support. After using the soft, we found it to be top quality, luxurious looking with its silver piping, exceptionally pliable, so it conforms quite well without being too lofty around the face. ​

The WENERSI Down & Feather Pillow (2-Pack) works great for side and back sleepers, and depending on your size and weight, you can select soft or firm support. However, this would be an excellent choice for anyone who loves snuggling with a soft, comfy pillow that can easily be folded for comfort.

PEACE NEST Goose Feather and Down Pillow (2-Pack) Review

The PEACE NEST Goose Feather and Down Pillow (2-Pack) comes in Queen, and King sizes with 95% goose or duck feathers and 5% down ratio. Goose feathers tend to be larger and firmer than duck feathers, so they generally offer more support. Channeled pillow construction for even feather distribution works well in any sleep position.

This is a high-quality medium-density pillow that comes with a breathable 100% cotton cover. The seams are double stitched to keep feathers from pushing through. The hypoallergenic shell keeps allergens from building up so people with allergies can sleep comfortably through the night.

The PEACE NEST is exceptionally easy to care for because it can be tossed in the washing machine and dryer and safely dry cleaned as well if needed. It can also be intermittently fluffed up on the dryer to quickly refresh it. The layered channeling allows it to easily resume its shape after being compressed and regain its loft with a quick fluff.

The PEACE NEST Goose Feather and Down Pillow (2-Pack) works well for any sleep position, but it is up to you to fold and shape it for comfort. It works best for stomach and back sleepers, however, side sleepers usually fold the pillow for more head and neck support.

Pacific Coast Down & Feather Pillow Review

The Pacific Coast Down & Feather Pillow has a “pillow-in-pillow” design to provide the softness of down on the outside with the firmer support of feathers on the inside. This is the perfect choice for side and back sleepers.

The fluffy outer layer has a plushy Hyperclean 550 fill power down filling designed in puff-balls for warmth and softness. The center of the pillow is filled with highly resilient Resilia feathers for added firmness, to keep your head from sinking too far down into the surface. The Pacific Coast Down & Feather Pillow comes with a 300-thread-count 100% cotton shell made with a specially woven barrier designed to keep the tiny down feathers from pushing through.

The feathers and down both undergo an eight-step eco-friendly washing procedure to thoroughly clean them, eliminating all dust and allergens. This is why Pacific Coast can offer a 30-night sleep trial, a 1-year allergy warranty plus a 5-year manufacturer’s warranty on their product. You can easily keep this pillow clean because it’s machine washable and dryable.

JA Comforts Goose Down and Feather Pillow Review

The JA Comforts Goose Down and Feather Pillow has a relatively low price, making this the most affordable option on the market today. Which is not to say that it is of any lower quality. On the contrary, it is incredibly soft and offers the same temperature neutrality that you would find in more expensive options.

The filling is 95% feathers and 5% down, with the down placed around the edges for additional cushioning. The feather filling is what makes the JA Comforts so resilient and supportive. It's ergonomically designed to conform to the body and provides just the right amount of softness while supporting the curvature of the neck so that it remains aligned with the spine. This pillow retains its shape quite well compared to most other options.

The JA Comforts Goose Down and Feather Pillow is fully machine washable and dryable, unlike a lot of other models that need to be spot cleaned. It comes with a top-quality 233-thread count 100% cotton cover. Buyers are offered a 90-night sleep trial, which is extremely generous, plus a 3-year warranty.

Down & Feather Co. Firm Feather Pillow Review

Down & Feather Co. lives up to its name as a manufacturer of down and feather bedding. While they make quite a few different products, our very favorite is the Down & Feather Co. Firm Feather Pillow. In fact, it’s been their top-rated bestseller for quite some time now. So we aren’t alone in our admiration.

This particular model is filled with high-quality Hungarian goose feathers encased in a breathable 100% cotton 220-thread-count shell. This type of feather is less likely to protrude from the shell and poke you during the night. The blue and white striped cover is reminiscent of the classic pillows of decades ago.

This is the perfect choice for side and back sleepers. A feather pillow is a lot firmer under compression, so it will support you better than a pillow of a similar density filled with down. The feathers do a great job of conforming to the shape of your head and neck, offering you the support you need. However, if you’re not getting enough support on your back, just move the pillow under your neck just above your shoulders. This way, it can conform better around your neck and head for added support.

The Down & Feather Co. Firm Feather Pillow comes in Standard, Queen, and King sizes. To get the feel you want, you can buy it in soft, medium, firm, extra firm or even extra extra firm. This way, there’s an option to suit every sleep position. Down & Feather Co. offers buyers a 30-night trial period plus a 10-year limited warranty. Furthermore, they have a 1-year FREE Perfect Pillow Policy, which means they will give buyers free pillow adjustments should yours become misshapen or lumpy.

Continental Bedding Down Pillow Review

The Continental Bedding Down Pillow is firm yet fluffy thanks to its 700 fill power, which signifies its height and warmth. The higher the fill power, the thicker the pillow, so it can retain more heat than feather pillows with less fill power.

The Continental Bedding should be perfectly comfortable for back and side sleepers but probably too thick for people who sleep on their stomachs. The soft feather filling makes the pillow luxuriously warm and soft, a feeling that can never be matched by pillows filled with synthetics. 

These hypoallergenic clusters of white Hungarian goose down are designed to repel dirt, dust, and other allergens. Some experts claim that Hungarian goose feathers make a far superior filling than any other material you could fill a pillow with. While these pillows are expensive, they are highly desirable because they’re not only sublimely comfortable, they’re very durable and likely worth the investment.

The Continental Bedding Down Pillow comes with a soft and breathable 300-thread count damask striped cotton cover, which keeps you nice and cool during the night. It is beautifully finished with sturdy reinforced seams.

Puredown Goose Down Feather Pillow (Set of 2) Review

This uniquely designed gusseted pillow is meant for side sleepers. People sleeping on their side need a thicker, firmer pillow and feather pillows are often shaped and folded to fit these needs. However, the Puredown Goose Down Feather Pillow (Set of 2) has the shape and thickness needed without having to be folded. If you’re a side sleeper who loves the feel of a feather pillow but are tired of having to crunch it or fold it to get comfortable, the Puredown is pure joy.

The filling is made of 90% grey goose feathers mixed with 10% grey goose down, so it’s luxuriously soft and fluffy, nicely responsive while still being supportive. This pillow will help you sleep better than you ever have in your life. The Puredown Goose Down Feather Pillow (Set of 2) is made of feathers and down of the highest quality, so it stays fluffed up much longer than you would ever imagine for an ordinary feather and down pillow.

The 2-inch gusset between panels of box-stitched quilting with corded seams keeps the filling in place so it won’t go flat at any time while you’re sleeping. This is what supports your neck and makes this is a very effective design for side sleepers. The breathable 100% cotton shell is sufficiently thick to prevent any quills from poking through. You can choose either a King size or Jumbo size, which in actuality measures like a standard Queen or King.

Puredown manufactures all their products according to the Responsible Down Standard, and all have earned the OXIPOWER, TWICE AS NICE Certification. All materials have been selected by experts and thoroughly cleaned. The Siberian feathers and down are lightweight and odorless.

Downluxe Goose Feather and Down Pillow (Set of 2) Review

Downluxe has been an established business for the past two decades, building a reputation for making hotel quality bedding. The Downluxe Goose Feather and Down Pillow (Set of 2) is a perfect example of the superior comfort and durability of their products. With a combined 90% feather and 10% down filling, they’ve created the ideal ratio for a high-quality plush, soft, and pliable pillow that provides support and a luxurious feel. The Downluxe is great for all sleep positions because you can shape it to suit your needs.

The pillow comes in Queen and King sizes. It has a soft, smooth 300-thread-count cotton damask shell with good airflow for a cooler sleep. The shell has double-stitched seams with piping to keep feathers in and make it machine-washable and dryable (although dry cleaning is recommended).

The Downluxe Goose Feather and Down Pillow (Set of 2) is eco-friendly and contains no toxic substances as attested to by its Oeko-Tex 100 approval. Furthermore, a non-biased third-party has independently examined the feathers and down, and the company has adhered to Responsible Down Standards (RDS) and is certified accordingly.

This product is also hypoallergenic, breathable, and odorless so that you can sleep comfortably and at the perfect temperature. If you’re looking for an exceedingly soft, fluffy, and pliable pillow that works for every sleep position, the Downluxe is worth taking a closer look at.

Three Geese White Goose Feather Bed Pillow Review

Side sleepers tend to find feather pillows unsatisfactory because they are either too soft and/or too thin for them to get comfortable with. If you sleep on your side, you need more support to reduce pressure in their most sensitive areas and keep your spine aligned.

The Three Geese White Goose Feather Bed Pillow has a higher loft (thickness) than most other models at over 4” thick, which makes it a medium- to high-loft as well as a medium-firm. This level of support cradles the natural shape of the neck and upper spine. This keeps your head, neck, and shoulders in the right alignment. It is ideal for people for those who don’t want to sleep with their heads too high but like the added loft. The even sleeping surface keeps the body in a horizontal line.

This is also an exceptionally cool pillow, thanks to the airflow of its soft, breathable shell made of premier 600-thread-count Egyptian cotton. The product is certified by Oeko-Tex to be completely free of toxic chemicals and is constructed with three separate chambers: an inner feather-filled chamber for volume and support and two microfiber-filled outer chambers for a cloud-like feel.

You can buy the Three Geese White Goose Feather Bed Pillow in Queen and King sizes, and they often come in discounted 2-pack bundles. The company offers buyers a 30-night trial period, and anyone not satisfied is entitled to a full refund.

Things to Consider When Deciding Which Feather Pillow to Buy

If you have no idea which feather pillow would best meet your needs, then there are some things you’ll want to think about before deciding on a purchase. While you may think a feather pillow would be the right choice, you need to give this some thought. There are a number of factors that affect how well you sleep, which you need to consider: 

Types of Feathers

Choosing the best type of pillow is never easy and when it comes to feather pillows, you need to know a about the various types of feathers before you can narrow down your choices: 

Goose Feathers

As the name implies, goose feather pillows contain the types of feathers found on the back and wings of geese. Goose feathers are more popular than duck feathers because they are of a higher quality, which adds to the cost. Goose feathers are also pure white, whereas duck feathers are off white in color. You may not be able to see this through the outer cover or shell. The best feather pillows are typically filled with a combination of goose feathers and goose down, with more feathers than down. 

Duck Feathers

Pillows filled with duck feathers are less expensive, but that does not mean you will be unhappy with your choice. There are lots of duck feather pillows on the market to choose from, but they do tend to be less desirable than goose feather pillows, which could be their off-white color. But this makes absolutely no difference in the feel and quality of the feathers. Plus, you can’t see the feathers through the cover anyway. Some manufacturers bleach the feathers to attain that pure white look, but this detracts from the natural element and we think this is totally unnecessary. 

Down Feathers

Most everyone agrees that the best feather pillows contain some down filling. Down feathers come from the fine inner layer of birds. Down is very light, wispy and fluffy and is added to make the pillow softer and plushier. A feather pillow without any down added may be just too firm and uncomfortable for most users, but it will be less expensive than a feather and down combo pillow. The percentage of down could be 5% to 50%, with the rest of the filling made up of standard feathers. 

Covers

When you buy a feather pillow you need to make sure it has cover with a tight enough weave to keep the feathers from popping out and poking you. Also, a fabric with a tight weave will keep allergens from getting into the pillow. 

To ensure your pillow cover has a sufficiently tight weave you will want the fabric to have a thread count anywhere from 200 to 800. This would indicate a high-quality durable fabric with enough softness to create a nice luxurious sleeping surface. If the fabric has a thread count any lower than 200 it would not be durable or soft. 

One of the most popular choices for the covers of feather pillows is 100% cotton since it’s very soft and breathable as well. Many people prefer polyester pillow covers because this fabric makes a comfortable sleeping surface that is also breathable and water resistant. 

Level of Firmness

In addition to the loft (height or thickness) of your pillow, you’ll need to decide what level of firmness would be most comfortable for you. This is where your sleep position will play a vital role. 

Extra-Firm 

Pillows that are extra firm work best for people who sleep on their side because this level of firmness in a pillow can hold your head at the same level as your shoulders. 

Medium Firm 

Back sleepers do well with a medium-firm pillow because they provide enough softness to cradle and cushion your head, so your neck doesn’t tilt forward, while being sufficiently firm to keep your neck from tilting too far back. 

Medium Soft 

If you sleep on your stomach, you’ll likely be most comfortable with a medium-soft pillow, which is just soft enough for your neck to sink into it and keep it from craning backwards. 

Size

Feather pillows come in a number of different sizes. Below, we’ve listed the most common so that you can choose the most appropriate size for your needs. For kids, we recommend the Standard and Super Standard sizes. For adults, the Queen and King. 

Standard (20” x 26”) 

This is the most common size being sold, and therefore the least expensive. Because its the smallest, we recommend the Standard size for children. 

Super Standard (20” X 28”) 

The Super Standard size is 2” longer than the Standard, so you get slightly more length, which works well for slightly bigger children. 

Queen (20” X 30”) 

The Queen size pillow is 4” longer than the Standard, giving you a bit more space to sleep on. The Queen size is perfect for those who toss and turn all night long, because they have the length to accommodate all that moving around. 

King (20” X 36”) 

King size pillow are the longest, if you don’t count body pillows. They’re 10” longer than the Standard and 6” longer than the Queen! Because of their length, you get the most sleeping surface with a King. Like the Queen, they work extremely well for people who move around a lot during the night. Due to their size, a King size pillow makes a perfect headrest while reading in bed or watching TV. 

Euro (26” X 26”) 

Euro pillows are shaped like squares instead of being rectangular. They come in a variety of dimensions, but a Euro-sized pillow is always square. You see Euro sizes used as throw pillows more often than bed pillows. 

Body (20” X 48” or 20” X 54”)

As the name implies, Body pillows are as long as the human body, but no wider than a Standard size pillow. These work exceptionally well for side sleepers and those who love snuggling with their pillow. 

Sleep Positions

The main reason people sleep with a pillow is for neck support and your sleep position is actually what determines which pillow will support your neck the best. If your pillow has too much loft (height or thickness) or not enough, you risk suffering with neck pain down the road. 

Back Sleepers

If you sleep on your back, you need a pillow that keeps your head even with your shoulders. If your pillow is too high, your spine will be forced upwards and if your pillow is too low, your neck will droop. Back sleepers benefit most with a higher loft pillow with enough firmness to hold their head in place.

Stomach Sleepers

If you’re routinely sleeping on your stomach, you may not even use a pillow. But this may not be such a good idea. Stomach sleepers benefit most when sleeping with a thin pillow that offers a little support. The main thing is that the pillow should not lift your head because you don’t want your neck to bend backward, which could end up causing you pain. 

Side Sleepers

Side sleepers need a pillow that will totally fill the gap that exists between their head and shoulders, so their neck is supported and able to just relax. Therefore, a lofty pillow 3” to 6” thick should work best.  

“Fill Power”

As you’re examining the label describing a particular down pillow, you’ll come across the term “Fill Power” followed by a number. This number signifies the properties of that pillow. For example, if the pillow is filled with down clusters, this number will indicate their quality and height, as well as how long they’ll stay firm. A down pillow with a Fill Power in excess of 650 is a premium quality pillow. If you’re considering buying a down pillow, you need to know that the best ones have a Fill Power of at least 850. 

High Fill Power down pillows contain larger down clusters, which means they offer more support. Large sized down clusters are more lightweight and more insulating than smaller sized clusters. Having said that, if you get hot and sweaty at night, you may be better off with a lower Fill Power pillow because it will promote better airflow, which will keep you cooler at night. Fill Power applies to down pillows only, not pillows containing only feathers. 

Durability

One of the main benefits of well-made feather pillows is their long-lasting durability, which you can count on as long as it’s properly taken care of. This being the case, it should easily last 2 to 3 years. They do flatten out under pressure, but they’re very easy to fluff up with your hands or by airing them out in the sunshine for a few hours. 

If you want your feather pillow to last even longer, look for one with double stitching because it’s not only beautiful, the double stitching secures the shape of the pillow, and lessen the odds of it being weakened by tears and holes. Low Fill Power pillows tend to lose their loft and become misshapen.

Price

As discussed above, feather pillows usually sell for $25 to $50, making them fairly inexpensive. Even though they’ve been around for centuries, feather pillows remain the ones most commonly used. You can find them anywhere bedding is sold, Wayfair, Overstock, Amazon, Bed, Bath & Beyond, Target, Walmart, Macy’s, Home Goods and etc. Feather pillows are also available at most retail mattress stores, like Mattress Firm. 

You can frequently find feather pillows sold in bundles of two, or what’s called a 2-Pack, at discounted prices. 

Return Policy & Warranty

Even you’re in a brick and mortar retail store and you have the pillow right there in your hands, it’s difficult to determine how comfortable you will be sleeping with it. And, it’s impossible to even do this when you’re shopping online. The only way you’ll be able to tell whether a pillow is right for you is if you’re able to test it out. The best feather pillows come with a 30-night sleep trial or a reasonable return policy. 

Sleep trials are tied in with the return policy. You are allowed to buy the pillow with the knowledge that you can return it for a full refund if you’re unsatisfied. This is extremely important when you’re looking for the perfect pillow because this way you have a chance to try out different pillows before you have to make your final determination. 

You should also select a pillow that comes with a warranty. You can expect most feather pillows to last at minimum 2 years and maybe 3. Therefore, you would want a pillow that has a 3-year warranty period. 

Allergy Sufferers

Many people with allergies have been told to avoid pillows with natural fillings, especially feathers, because they will trigger allergic reactions, but this is actually a myth. The truth is that if you buy a poor- quality cheap feather pillow there is a chance that the feathers may have come from a questionable source and this could be a problem for people with allergies. The best feather pillows contain feathers that have been thoroughly cleaned so that all traces of dirt, dust and contaminants have been washed away. 

If you are getting allergic reactions from your feather pillow, then it’s time that you cleaned it according to the directions on the label. Some feather pillows are machine washable and dryable while others must be dry cleaned. Either way, you likely have a buildup of pollen spores and/or dust mites along the seams that need to be cleaned out. 

Warm or Cold Sleepers

Feather pillows are highly breathable while being naturally insulating. The air pockets make feather pillows extremely comfortable to sleep with, something most natural materials and fibers cannot do. This makes feather pillows a great choice for anyone who gets hot and sweaty as well as people who get cold at night. 

Cleaning & Care

If you want your feather pillow to last, you need to take good care of it and keeping it clean is essential. This will also ensure that you have a healthy, clean sleep environment. Dead skin cells, oil, dirt and dust will build up over time, attracting fungal spores. You need to thoroughly clean your feather pillow every 3 months. 

Check the cleaning instructions before you toss your pillow in the washing machine and dryer because some feather pillows need to be spot or dry cleaned. If you cannot find the tag with the care instructions follow the steps outlined below for safely washing a feather pillow: 

1. First, look it over carefully for tears or holes. If you find any, you’ll need to mend them before tossing your pillow in the washing machine. If this isn’t done, you’ll ruin the filling inside. 

2. Put 2 pillows in your washing machine. You need to wash them together to keep the load balanced. 

3. Use a small amount of gentle laundry detergent. Do not use a harsh detergent, bleach or fabric softener because they will wear out the fabric and filling, so your pillow will come out looking old and shabby. 

4. Put it through on a gentle cycle with lukewarm or cold water. Never use hot water on pillows because the pillow could shrink. 

5. Once the washing cycle is finished, run the pillows through again on a rinse cycle to ensure they are thoroughly rinsed and there is no soapy residue. 

Now that your pillows are cleaned and free of any soap, it’s time to dry them. Feather pillows can be hung out in the sun to dry, air dried or machine dried, whatever you prefer. If you’re going to throw them in the dryer, make sure it’s set at a low temperature, so your pillows don’t shrink. 

When your pillows are in the dryer, you’re going to need to take them out every few minutes to fluff them up, so the feathers don’t clump together. Some people toss a dryer ball (or tennis ball) in the dryer with their pillows because it can give them some shape. 

Your pillows will need to be run through several drying cycles, with intermittent hand-fluffing, before they are completely dry. Never wring them out or twist feather pillows as you can seriously damage the feathers. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of feathers are in feather pillows?

Most feather pillows on the market today contain goose feathers and goose down, but some contain duck feathers and duck down. 

Can people suffering from allergies safely sleep with a feather pillow?

It would all depend on what they were allergic to. Generally speaking, many allergy sufferers sleep very well with feather pillows. The best feather pillows contain feathers and down that have been thoroughly cleaned and sanitized. Thick materials create a barrier, so users are not exposed to the feathers. 

Are feather pillows machine washable?

Many of the feather pillows being sold today can be safely machine washed. To make sure, read the manufacturer’s cleaning instructions before doing this. If you get the “go ahead” use a gentle/cool cycle and tumble dry on a low setting. Follow the instructions spelled out above in this article. 

Do you get poked in the face by feathers while you’re trying to sleep?

The feather pillows from decades ago may have had this problem, but the pillows currently on the market are filled with small feathers, which are basically harmless. The best feather pillows also have specially made covers (shells) made of very high thread-count fabrics that keep the feathers and down from escaping and poking you with their quills. 

Do feather pillows have to be fluffed up all the time?

The pillows that made our list of the Best Feather Pillows of 2019 generally able to retain their nice, plump rectangular shape without constantly being fluffed up. While most feather pillows do need to be fluffed up on occasion, it’s not a big deal. They are amazingly comfortable to sleep with as they mold to your body while supporting your head and neck quite nicely. 

Feather pillows tend to be expensive, right?

Not necessarily. The best feather pillows contain top-quality feathers that have undergone a rigorous cleaning process, so they will be a little more expensive than a pillow filled with synthetic materials. The big bedding brands have huge followings, so they strive to keep costs down.

How long does the average feather pillow last?

An “average” feather pillow will not last as long as a “high-quality” pillow, so it all depends on how well made the pillow is and if the feathers and down are premium quality. How long they last also depends on how well they’re cared for. If you regularly mend the tiny tears and holes that naturally occur and wash your pillow every 3 months, it should last you 5 to 10 years. A synthetic down pillow usually only lasts 1 to 2 years. 

Conclusion

Many people consider a top-quality feather and down pillow to be essential to a good night’s sleep. It’s more than just a resting place for your head at night, the right pillow can ensure your neck is properly aligned throughout the night so that you don’t wake up with aches and pains. 

We hope this guide provides the information you need to choose the best feather pillow to meet your needs. If you’re still undecided, read the customer reviews on each pillow because they are often filled with valuable insights. For more resources, read our other guides on various bedding products and brands.