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Most fillings don’t truly replicate the cradling feel of down.
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They’re highly supportive, lofty, and durablewhat’s not to love?
That last attribute is key because durability is not something you often find with real down filling.
We’ve found it falls flatpun intended.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Rachel Marek
A medium firmness meant that it straddled perfectly between fluffy and firm.
As a bonus, after being put through the wash, this pillow also maintained its size and fluffiness.
In fact, after over two and a half years, it’s still our go-to.
The Slumber Cloud Core Down Alternative Pillow was flatter than expected, but it offered substantial support for back and side sleeping.PHOTO: The Spruce
It’s completely unchanged since we first received it, and we find it super comfortable for everyday use.
However, just be mindful that it doesnt feature any sort of cooling or moisture-wicking properties.
Fortunately, we restored it to its former shape with some fluffing.
Beans Down Alternative Damask Pillowhotel-quality feeldrew us in immediately.
We tested the medium firmness, and we loved its blend of fluffy loft yet lasting support.
After two years of using this pillow at home, it still offers comfortable support.
We love how breathable the construction is, even if it’s not necessarily a cooling option.
Additionally, despite nightly use, this pillow is very resilient, maintaining its shape well over time.
It has a lofty, fluffy construction that rivals the texture of traditional down.
We love how well it maintains its shape, and we had no issues with it flattening with use.
Despite its cloud-like feel, this is one of the most durable designs weve tested.
While some may love its resiliency, others may prefer a more contouring construction.
We were very impressed by the quality of this pillow given its low price.
It has an 8-inch loft, so your neck and shoulder will be cradled properly.
We were comfortable sleeping on our back while testing this pillow too.
Just like the other polyester-filled pillows on our list, this design is completely machine-washable.
The core zipper opening is large enough to fit your hand inside and remove or add the filling.
We likened it to an ice-cold headache cap.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Rachel Marek
Thankfully, the outer shell is washable.
We also noted how easy it was to switch positions when using the pillows.
She adds that this also makes these pillows a preferred choice for both comfort and ethical considerations.
We were impressed by the loft and quality of the Amazon Basics Down-Alternative Pillow.PHOTO: The Spruce
Down alternative pillows are generally made from polyester or microfiber fills to achieve their soft, squishable feel.
Polyester and microfiber are breathable materials, making them good options for hot sleepers.
However, the cover material can still improve the pillow’s comfort, breathability, and durability.
All options on this list have either a cotton or polyester cover.
With this in mind, we suggest something like our best budget pick, theAmazon Basics Down Alternative.
TheSijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillowhas a two-chamber design, so it’s easy to add or remove filling.
Traditional down pillows typically have tedious care instructions, with many of them being spot-clean only.
The pillows on our list can also be dried in a dryer if you have a low-heat setting.
Why Trust The Spruce?
Emma Asheis an editor at The Spruce, specializing in bedding products.
She participated in The Spruce’s down pillows testing and learned down was too squishy for her preferences.
PHOTO: The Spruce / Rachel Marek
We tested the medium firmness of the L.L. Bean Down-Alternative Damask Pillow and loved the cushion and resilience.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Izzy Seely
We loved how well the Tuft & Needle Down Alternative Pillow maintained its shape.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce
The Casaluna Machine Washable Firm Down Alternative Pillow has an 8-inch loft that makes it plenty sturdy and easily filled our standard pillowcase.PHOTO: The Spruce
PHOTO: The Spruce / Anna Mejorada
The Sijo FlexCool Memory Foam Pillow had a comparable loft to a different down alternative pillow we tested, but we preferred the adjustable filling of the Sijo.PHOTO: The Spruce
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