Is this guide for you?
- You love a soft, luxurious feel and find foam pillows too rigid
- You sleep cold or at a neutral temperature
- You're prepared to invest in a higher-quality pillow that lasts several years
- You don't have a known feather or dust mite allergy
How the matching quiz works
- Answer a few quick questions about how you sleep
- We match against pillows verified on UK Amazon, scoring on fit, temperature and budget
- Get a shortlist with reasons — not a single pushed product
What fill power actually means
Fill power measures the loft of down — how many cubic inches one ounce of down occupies. A higher fill power means larger, more resilient clusters that trap more air, provide better insulation, and hold their loft for longer. 400–500 fill power is basic. 600 is mid-range and suitable for most sleepers. 700–850 is premium and what you'd find in a high-end hotel pillow. 900+ is exceptional and rarely necessary for UK conditions. Fill power directly correlates with how long the pillow maintains its loft before flattening.
Goose down vs duck down
Goose down
Goose down clusters are larger than duck down clusters, which typically means higher fill power per ounce. Hungarian and Polish white goose down are considered among the best sources globally. Goose down is generally odourless when washed correctly. It's more expensive than duck down at the same fill power.
Duck down
Duck down is more abundant and therefore cheaper. A good 600+ fill-power duck down pillow is still excellent — the fill power matters more than the species for most sleepers. Lower-quality duck-feather-mix pillows (common under £20) have high feather content, which means quills can poke through the shell over time and the loft collapses quickly.
Down vs feather fill
Pure down (the fluffy clusters from the bird's undercoat) is softer and more resilient than feather fill (the flat outer feathers). Most budget 'down' pillows are actually down-and-feather blends with a high feather percentage. Check the label — 80% down or above is what you want for a lasting loft.
Who down doesn't suit
Down pillows are not hypoallergenic. Even down that has been washed to remove allergens will accumulate dust mites over time. If you have a dust mite allergy or are allergic to feathers, synthetic hollow fibre or latex is a better choice. Down also compresses more than foam under sustained pressure, making it less reliable for side sleepers who need consistent loft. Back sleepers and lighter-bodied sleepers tend to get on best with down.
Care and longevity
Down pillows should be machine washed at 40–60°C (check care label) and — critically — dried thoroughly in a dryer with clean tennis balls to break up clumping. Incompletely dried down develops mildew quickly. A good goose down pillow washed and stored correctly can last 8–10 years. A cheap feather-mix pillow rarely lasts more than 2.
Ready to skip the research?
Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you to pillows that fit your build, position and budget.
Start the 2-minute quizWhat our quiz looks at
- Fill power — 600+ for good loft and longevity
- Down purity — 80% down or above for a consistent feel
- Goose vs duck — goose is usually better, but fill power matters more
- Your sleep position — back sleepers suit down better than side sleepers
- Budget — quality starts around £40; premium Hungarian goose down from £70+
- Allergy status — down is not suitable for dust mite or feather allergy sufferers
Frequently asked questions
What fill power should I look for in a down pillow?
600 fill power is a good minimum for a pillow that holds its loft reliably. 700+ is better for longevity. Anything below 500 will flatten significantly within a year.
Is goose down better than duck down?
At the same fill power, goose and duck down are comparable. Goose down clusters tend to be larger, giving higher fill power per ounce, but a 600-fill duck down pillow is better than a 400-fill goose down pillow. Fill power matters more than species.
Can I wash a down pillow?
Yes — most down pillows are machine washable at 40–60°C. The critical step is drying thoroughly; incomplete drying causes mildew and clumping. Use a tumble dryer on low with two tennis balls to break up clusters.
How long do down pillows last?
Quality goose down (600+ fill power, 80%+ down content) lasts 5–10 years with proper care. Budget feather-mix pillows typically flatten significantly within 1–2 years.
Last reviewed: 30 April 2026. We update this guide when our verified pillow catalogue changes.