You wouldn’t think that something as simple as pillow inserts would require much thought, but the filling, sizing, and outer shell fabric all play an important role in a well-designed pillow. We’ve all experienced a pillow that’s as stiff as a board, as flat as a pancake, or as prickly as a cactus. So I set out to find the best pillow insert that is as good aesthetically as it is functionally.
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I tested 6 crowd favorite throw pillow inserts from highly recommended brands to see if they lived up to the hype. Of the 6 pillows, three have a down alternative fill and three have a feather down fill. I ranked each pillow from least favorite to most favorite. Then I had my husband do a blind test as well and, without any prompts, he shared my exact opinions for every pillow….with nearly the same verbiage even! š
Before I dive into my reviews, I’d like to share a brief explanation of the difference between down alternative vs feather down pillows.
FEATHER DOWN vs DOWN ALTERNATIVE…WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE?
FEATHER DOWN: A combination of feathers and down. Down is the soft fluffy material found under the feathers of ducks and geese. Feathers provide weight and support while down provides softness and comfort. Generally, throw pillows contain 95% feathers and 5% down. The higher the down percentage, the higher the cost and the more luxurious the pillow is considered.
DOWN ALTERNATIVE: While feather down pillows are made using animal products, down alternative pillows are not. Down alternative is made from cotton, polyester, or other synthetic materials crafted to mimic the softness of natural down.
Throw Pillow Inserts, Ranked From Worst To Best
06
Pottery Barn
Down Alternative Pillow Insert
This pillow insert came highly recommended from multiple sources online, but honestly, it was the most disappointing. It’s significantly underfilled and would require sizing up at least 4″ for a full look. The 22″ insert was swimming in my 20″ cover. I also found it to be quite lumpy and flat. Because it’s underfilled, it doesn’t provide adequate support and requires significant fluffing after use. It does however hold a deep karate chop and it is the most affordable option of the bunch.
05
The Company Store
95% Feather – 5% Down Pillow Insert
Unfortunately this pillow is also significantly underfilled and flat. It’s also lightweight which is surprising given that it’s a feather down pillow. The first thing I noticed was actually the sound of the fabric & quills – it sounded quite crunchy. Granted, that’s not uncommon for most feather down pillows. Support was lacking and it squished down significantly from use – requiring fluffing. It does however hold a deep karate chop.
04
Puredown
95% Feather – 5% Down Pillow Insert
These pillow inserts come in a set of two and are the second most affordable option. They’re slightly less full than I prefer, but provide mid-level support should you choose to rest your head. This pillow squishes down a lot, but it does bounce back some, requiring a little less fluffing than the previous two pillows. I’m most impressed with the thick outer shell fabric which should decrease the number of quills that poke through. (*decrease, not eliminate.) And yes, it’s karate choppable.
03
ComfyDown
95% Feather – 5% Down Pillow Insert
Of all the feather down pillows, this is the best one. It has ample fullness, a good weight, sufficient support for the head, and holds a deep karate chop. It also bounces back somewhat after use requiring only a little fluffing. Once again, this pillow sounded crunchy and the outer fabric looks thin which could result in quills poking through over time.
02
The Company Store
Down Alternative Pillow Insert
I really like this pillow. It’s full, holds its shape well after use, and requires minimal fluffing. It also has excellent support (perfect for a nap on the couch) and doesn’t slouch too much. It can be karate chopped, although not quite as deep as the rest of the pillows, and it’s one of the more affordable options. My biggest complaint with this pillow is the weight – it’s pretty lightweight. But the fullness, softness, and ability to bounce back after use puts this pillow in position #2.
01
Pillowflex
Down Alternative Pillow Insert
This pillow is everything I want in an insert! The first thing I noticed was the weight. It’s perfectly heavy and full. It has good support, although it’s not quite as supportive as pillow #2. It has the softness of a cloud, yet it doesn’t squish down too much with use. It has a medium-level bounce back requiring only a light fluffing and it holds an excellent karate chop. At first touch, it’s obvious this is a quality pillow – dare I say luxury? The Pillowflex insert is the clear winner!
Overall, I tend not to like feather down pillows. They’re too slouchy, don’t provide enough support, and require significant fluffing after use. That being said, if you’re keen on a feather down pillow, this one would be my recommendation. I much prefer the softness of a quality down alternative pillow and this pillow is by far the best pillow I’ve ever used! For proper fullness, always size up your insert by 2 inches. For example, a 20″ pillow cover requires a 22″ insert.
Mystery solved, the perfect pillow insert does exist!
Throw Pillow Inserts – My Top 3 Picks
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Finally, the comparison I’ve been looking for. I’ve seen down insert rankings that had ComfyDown at the top, and down alternative rankings with Pillowflex at the top, but none that compared them before. Thanks!
Yay for clarity! Everyone has their personal preference between down alternative and feather, and I would pick down alternative every time!
Hey Danica,
Thanks for the pillow review! Did you notice that Pilloeflex is made in the USA.? Iām always looking for great products made here so Iām sold. Thanks again!
Yes! An added bonus to seal the deal! š