I write about sleep products for a living, and when people ask me for the one bedding product I recommend, my answer is always the same: the Brooklinen Down Pillow. It's become my holy grail pillow, striking the perfect balance between fluffy comfort and soft support. And it's available in three densities, depending on your ideal feel. In my opinion, it's one of the best pillows out there.
When I initially learned that Brooklinen reformulated its down products — including my favorite pillow — I was nervous. I'm a firm believer in the philosophy: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. But after trying the new version of the Brooklinen Down Pillow for myself, I'm pleased to report that it's still the very best down pillow you can buy.
The medium Brooklinen Down Pillow is available in multiple firmness options to suit various sleeping positions. It feels as good as pillows double its price.
What we like
What we don't like
Design and materials
Brooklinen's down pillow is available in three densities: soft, medium, and firm. Each density is comprised of a different combination of Downmark-certified feathers and down clusters. The soft version is stuffed with down clusters, while both the medium and firm have a dual-core construction comprising of feathers and clusters. The soft is best for stomach sleepers, while the medium and firm are ideal for back and side sleepers, respectively.
The fill is surrounded by a smooth sateen shell made of Oeko-Tex-certified cotton. New with the redesign, the pillow is embroidered with a lowercase "b" in the corner. It comes in both standard and king sizes.
Our review of the Brooklinen Down Pillow
To say I used to be skeptical about down pillows is an understatement: I was a certified down pillow hater. The few down pillows I had tried went flat quickly, leaving me with almost no support through the night and a stiff neck in the morning.
But when I tried Brooklinen's down pillow, everything changed.
My first night with the Brooklinen Down Pillow was nothing short of magical. I'm a stomach and side combination sleeper, and I've always struggled to find a pillow that provides soft, plush comfort when sleeping on my belly but adequate support when I'm curled up on my side. Brooklinen's medium pillow struck the perfect balance, thanks to its cushy feel that molded perfectly to my head and my neck. My head sinks into the pillow when I sleep on my stomach, but remains puffy and supportive when I lie on my side. If you sleep solely on your side, you might need a firm density or stack two to stay fully comfortable.
Down has a propensity to trap heat, but I never overheat when I'm sleeping on this pillow. Instead, I find the feel to be quite airy and breathable. It's not noticeably cool-to-the-touch like the best cooling pillows, but it shouldn't cause night sweats from feeling too hot.
I also love that I don't need to fluff this pillow regularly. I rearrange my pillows before bed every night, but I only need to fully fluff it about once a week. It retains its shape well throughout the night, molding to the head and neck without completely collapsing under the weight of my upper body.
I used my old Brooklinen pillow for about a year, and I haven't noticed any durability concerns like pilling, compressed fill, or loose threads. Our previous tester, Rebecca Shinners, had her Brooklinen down pillow for three years and reported that it held it shape. Brooklinen's new design is machine-washable and can be tumble dried, so it's easier to care for than ever. When I ran it through my washer on laundry day, it came out looking as good as new.
Like all of its bedding products, the Brooklinen Down Pillow comes with a 365-night trial, though there is a $9.95 return fee to ship your item back to the brand. It's also covered by a two-year warranty.
Cons to consider
While I personally think it's worth the cost, this pillow is pricier than other options I recommend. Down is typically more expensive than other materials, since sourcing is complex. If you're planning on stacking multiple Brooklinen pillows or outfitting your entire bed, it will cost you.
Besides price, keep in mind that side sleepers who prefer a firm pillow should consider memory foam or latex options over down. I've also noticed a slight down odor and loose feathers when unboxing Brooklinen's pillow, but it quickly faded after use and washing.
What are your alternatives?
For those with allergies or vegans, I recommend Brooklinen's Down Alternative Pillow. The recycled poly microgel fill is designed to mimic the fluff and feel of real down without using animal products. After directly comparing this pillow to the down counterpart, I can attest that they feel almost identical. Plus, the down alternative version is much cheaper.
For another supportive down pillow, I suggest checking out the Boll & Branch Down Chamber Pillow. The three-chamber construction is designed to prevent fill from shifting, providing consistent, comfortable support.
For more recommendations, check out our best down pillow and best pillow guides.
The bottom line
I'm not exaggerating when I say Brooklinen's Down Pillow is my favorite piece of bedding of all time, and I think that just about everyone will love it, too. With three densities, there's an option for every kind of sleeper. Some side sleepers might opt for a pillow with a little extra support, but it's still the most supportive and comfortable down pillow I've ever tested.
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Disclosure: Written and researched by the Insider Reviews team. We highlight products and services you might find interesting. If you buy them, we may get a small share of the revenue from the sale from our partners. We may receive products free of charge from manufacturers to test. This does not drive our decision as to whether or not a product is featured or recommended. We operate independently from our advertising team. We welcome your feedback. Email us at reviews@jkmperu.com.
