Trying to drift off to sleep can be difficult. You have done your nightly routine but are still tossing and turning. It should only take 10 to 20 minutes for the average person to fall asleep. If you spend more time than this falling asleep, it may be time for you to ask why. Chances are, something in your bed product lineup is off.
When is the last time you got a new pillow? Experts suggest you get a new pillow every one to two years. Even the best mattress can’t compensate for a low-quality pillow. A new pillow can be exactly what you need for great quality sleep. Need more convincing? It is likely that an older pillow is filled with dust mites, dirt, and bacteria. Even those who shower before bed have a build-up of oils from their face and hair on their pillows. Scientists have even found that dirty pillows could have the same amount of bacteria as your toilet seat. Gross! Are you a drooler or sweaty sleeper? If so, the dampness from the moisture could cause mold. Getting a new pillow can help you get better and healthier sleep.
Why Are Pillows Important?
We spend about one-third of our life sleeping or trying to get to sleep. This statistic should explain why having high-quality bedroom items is so important. Pillows provide support for your neck and upper back. Your spine is naturally curved. You need support from a pillow to make sure your spine is in alignment throughout the night. Waking up with a tight neck or shoulders can ruin your whole day. It’s hard to imagine a time without the comforting cradle of a pillow. But, believe it or not – it happened.
A Brief History of Pillows
The first recorded use of pillows was in 7000 BCE. These pillows were made of stone and could not have been too comfortable. Yet, the Mesopotamians knew the importance of aligning their spine. Well, maybe they were also trying to keep bugs from crawling on their head. Either way, the concept of pillows has been around a long time.
The ancient Greeks and Romans amped up the idea of pillows. They chose cloth filled with cotton, reeds, or straw. This is also around the time period and the start of the use of feather pillows. The wealthy could afford the luxury to have a soft pillow filled with feathers to support their head.
In America, pillows were not popular until the Industrial Revolution. The Industrial Revolution provided a process for mass production of products. Large textile factories were able to quickly and efficiently provide more products. This made the products cheaper and allowed more people access to pillows.
Types of Pillows
Pillows come in all shapes and sizes. But not every pillow will work best for everyone. The best pillow for you will depend on your preferred sleeping position. Back sleepers will need different support than side sleepers. Your neck needs to be supported and help keep a proper alignment for your back. From feather pillows to memory foam pillows there are a ton of options available to you. However, there is a great feather pillow option for everyone.
Side sleepers can select from very soft to medium options. Back sleepers should select a Medium soft to Medium-firm option. A stomach sleeper should choose a Medium Soft to Medium Firm pillow. Combination sleepers should identify which type of sleeper they identify most with and choose from there. The perfect pillow provides the ultimate sleeping experience. Each pillow type and pillow size should be considered to help you reach your best sleep ever.
What To Look For in Feather Pillows
There are a lot of factors to consider when choosing a new feather pillow. A good quality pillow can last up to 20 years. With a span that long, it is important to make a good decision for your best quality of sleep.
Pillow Composition
Not all feather pillows are made the same. Some “feather pillows” aren’t actually filled with feathers. Companies also sometimes use only a small portion of actual feathers. They mix a small portion of feathers with other materials such as polyester. The alternative fill will not give you the quality and plushness of a true feather pillow.
Down vs. Feathers
These two terms are often used interchangeably. But, they both represent a different but important part of your pillow fill. Pillows filled with only feathers are generally denser and heavier. This can be ideal for side sleepers or combination sleepers. Down is considered higher quality. These feathers come from young birds or the underside of birds. Down is light and airy for a softer pillow. Both down and feathers can come from ducks or geese.
Fill Power
Fill power indicates the quality of the down used. It also is a measure of quality, size, and cleanliness. A higher fill power points to a fluffy product. Common fill power measurements can range from 600 to 900. A 600-fill power would mean that one ounce of down covers 600 cubic inches.
Thread Count
You will also want to consider the thread count on the case. A higher thread count represents a higher quality material. One problem with feather pillows is that the feathers can poke through the fabric. Using a higher quality fabric with a higher thread count will make this less likely to happen. Search for cases with a 400 thread count or above to avoid pesky feathers.
Feather Source
Where your feathers come from matters. Higher quality standards for feather pillows exist in the United States and Europe. Feathers from these locations likely mean you are getting a higher quality product. While other companies may provide a cheaper option, quality matters when it comes to feathers. You may also want to consider feathers that are ethically sourced. Companies with a dedication to ethics will provide a product you can trust.
Each of these factors is important to consider when looking for the best feather pillow. These elements will depict how great your pillow will be. A lower thread count can cause irritation due to the stem of the feather. While choices with alternative fills can cause allergens and a lower quality product.
Our Top Feather Pillow Picks
Today, a good feather pillow isn’t limited to only the wealthy. You can have your best night’s sleep without a ton of searching. Good quality options aren’t hard to find. A good feather pillow is affordable and accessible. It is also the best overall choice of any type of pillow. Here are our top picks of feather pillows:
Puredown Store – Goose Feathers and Down Pillow
This feather pillow option is filled with 95% grey goose feathers and 5% grey goose down. It is high quality and provides a great sleeping experience. The listing has both gusseted and classic options. The gusset will provide better neck support and spine alignment. It is for those who like medium support and are back sleepers, side sleepers, or combination sleepers. The casing is 100% cotton to provide breathability and durability. You can machine wash this pillow as well. This product has standard, queen, and king-sized options. It ranges in cost from $56 to $61 based on the size you select. The Puredown Store Goose Feather and Down pillow selection has a 4.2 out of 5-star rating with over 15,000 reviews. It is an excellent feather pillow choice!
Three Geese Set of 2 White Goose Feather Bed Pillows
The Three Geese pillow set is filled with 60% Goose Feathers and 40% Polyester. It has a 600 thread count and 100% cotton casing to provide comfortable support. This feather pillow has a three-chamber design to give you plenty of support and volume. The Three Geese feather pillow is one of the best down pillow options for back and side sleepers. It is medium-firm and is ideal for that who prefer an even sleeping surface. As one of the best feather pillow options, it is no surprise that it is rated a 4.3 out of 5-stars. Over 5,000 have rated this goose feather pillow. This option is also vacuum-packed during shipping and handling to keep it clean. You can try this pillow in a two-pack of either King or Queen size. The price ranges from $49.98 to $59.98. The Three Geese pillow set is a great goose feather pillow selection.
JA Comforts Duck Feather and Down Bed Pillows
The JA Comfort pillow is a great bed pillow choice. This high-quality option has a double-lined technology to keep the feathers inside the pillow. It contains 95% grey duck feathers and 5% grey duck down. The company provides a 90-day trial period so you can see if it is the best down pillow option. They use four layers of fabric for ultimate comfort. This pillow can be machine washed as well. This is one of the more budget-friendly options. A two-pack of Queen Sized pillows is $45 while a King set of two is $51. These feather pillows are an excellent choice for alleviating neck pain and getting great sleep.
Brooklinen Down Pillow
The Brooklinen Down Pillow is one of the more expensive options for feather pillows. At $89 to $129 depending on your selections, it can get pricey. However, its quality is worth the price. They offer three different constructions to help you find your perfect fit. Plush, Mid-Plush, and Firm are each available based on your preferred sleeping positions. They recommend the Plush option for stomach sleepers, the Mid-Plush for combination sleepers, and the Firm option for side sleepers. Each pillow selection has down clusters and feather filling with a Cotton Sateen Shell. It also has double-stitched edges for durability. Brooklinen recommends Dry Cleaning if needed, adding to your potential cost. But, the reviews of this product make it a top-rated choice. It is rated 4.7 out of 5 stars by over 87% of reviewers. The Brooklinen down pillow is a quality goose-down pillow option.
Casper Down Pillow
Sleep peacefully with this ethically-sourced down pillow. The Casper Down Pillow has a 5 chamber design to provide top-tier support. It comes in two height options: mid loft and low loft. The price ranges from $179 to $83 as you can often find it on sale. This feather pillow option is also machine washable. The Casper pillow has a 100% cotton outer shell filled with 80% white duck down and 20% feather in the outer chamber. The Inner chamber has 60% white duck down and 40% feathers. This amount of feathers and support make it one of the best feather pillow options.
Parachute Down Pillow
A “Supreme Plush” pick for your feather pillow is the Parachute down pillow. Is one of the most expensive options of the choices listed. But, it offers a 750 fill power of European white down. This pillow is supportive but still light and breathable. It comes in soft, medium, and firm selections. The Parachute pillow rages from $129 to $209 based on your size and density choices. The company offers a 3-year warranty. This can help put your mind at ease when spending top dollar on a pillow. Parachute also offers a down alternative option. 70% of reviewers give this down pillow 5-stars making it a top choice.
Down & Feather Co.
This expensive luxury pillow company offers pillows that can run upwards of $639. It is a costly choice but it can provide you with a lavish night of sleep. The Snuggle Soft Goose Down Pillow from Down & Feather company has an 850 fill power. They use ultra-premium white goose-down clusters. These large clusters are three-dimensional making them durable and long-lasting. It also provides a quieter sleep than many of its competitors. Down & Feather also offers standard, queen, king, and euro-sized pillows. You can choose from soft, medium, firm, or extra firm.
For a less pricy option, they also offer the Original Feather Pillow. It can be a great heavy thick option for side sleepers or combination sleepers. This option also contains premium Hungarian goose feathers. The feather pillow is washed using recycled water and is guaranteed hypoallergenic. The price for this pillow ranges from $126 to $206 depending on size and support.
The company offers a 10-year limited warranty, making the price seem a little less intense. To help you choose the best pillow, they also offer a 30-night comfort guarantee. They suggest choosing a pillow based on your shoulder width, the firmness of your mattress, and your sleep style. Stomach sleepers and back sleepers alike can get great quality sleep with this feather pillow. Down & Feather Co is also responsible down certified, allergen-free, OEKO-TEX certified, and made in the USA.
Protecting Your Down Pillow
Investing money in your sleep can get expensive. It is a cost well worth the price. But, you need to make sure you are protecting your investment. Use a pillow protector to extend the life of your feather pillow. A good pillow protector will also help keep your pillow clean of spills, oils, or makeup residue. A good pillow protector can also help if you have allergies as it can help keep your pillow cleaner. A pillow protector will also further help those pesky feathers from poking through. As this is a common complaint of feather pillows, be sure to avoid this with a good pillow protector. You can also consider a pillow protector that offers cooling fabrics or additional protection from bugs and dust mites. A quality pillow protector will allow you to prolong the life of your pillow. It will also provide cleaner sleep. Small additions to your sleep essentials can help to save you money in the long run.
There are many great choices of feather pillows. It is important to know what to look for in a feather pillow. Products with a higher fill power and quality feathers will give you better sleep. Imagine the sleep you could get with a quality luxury mattress and a supportive goose-down pillow. You can feel like you sleep in a royal hotel bed every night. Some may argue that a latex pillow or memory foam pillow is the best pillow choice. But, there is nothing like a natural 100% cotton shell filled with the best goose down and goose feathers. Companies across the world have made some amazing options. Be sure to protect your pillow by using a pillow protector. The hypoallergenic feather pillows can be further improved by using a quality pillow protector. Finding the right pillow for you is only a few clicks away! You will be on your way to better sleep in no time.
